What is CVE-2024-26840?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cachefiles: fix memory leak in cachefiles_add_cache() The following memory leak was reported after unbinding /dev/cachefiles: ================================================================== unreferenced object 0xffff9b674176e3c0 (size 192): comm "cachefilesd2", pid 680, jiffies 4294881224 hex dump (first 32 bytes): 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ backtrace (crc ea38a44b): [ ] kmem_cache_alloc+0x2d5/0x370 [ ] prepare_creds+0x26/0x2e0 [ ] cachefiles_determine_cache_security+0x1f/0x120 [ ] cachefiles_add_cache+0x13c/0x3a0 [ ] cachefiles_daemon_write+0x146/0x1c0 [ ] vfs_write+0xcb/0x520 [ ] ksys_write+0x69/0xf0 [ ] do_syscall_64+0x72/0x140 [ ] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x6e/0x76 ================================================================== Put the reference count of cache_cred in cachefiles_daemon_unbind() to fix the problem. And also put cache_cred in cachefiles_add_cache() error branch to avoid memory leaks.

How severe is CVE-2024-26840?

CVE-2024-26840 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2024-26840 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (20th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2024-26840?

CVE-2024-26840 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2024-26840?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

Does CVE-2024-26840 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2024-26840 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-24102.

When was CVE-2024-26840 published?

CVE-2024-26840 was published on 2024-04-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2024-26840

CVE-2024-26840 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-401.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (20th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2024-24102
Weakness: CWE-401
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2024-04-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cachefiles: fix memory leak in cachefiles_add_cache() The following memory leak was reported after unbinding /dev/cachefiles: ================================================================== unreferenced object 0xffff9b674176e3c0 (size 192): comm "cachefilesd2", pid 680, jiffies 4294881224 hex dump (first 32 bytes): 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ backtrace (crc ea38a44b): [<ffffffff8eb8a1a5>] kmem_cache_alloc+0x2d5/0x370 [<ffffffff8e917f86>] prepare_creds+0x26/0x2e0 [<ffffffffc002eeef>] cachefiles_determine_cache_security+0x1f/0x120 [<ffffffffc00243ec>] cachefiles_add_cache+0x13c/0x3a0 [<ffffffffc0025216>] cachefiles_daemon_write+0x146/0x1c0 [<ffffffff8ebc4a3b>] vfs_write+0xcb/0x520 [<ffffffff8ebc5069>] ksys_write+0x69/0xf0 [<ffffffff8f6d4662>] do_syscall_64+0x72/0x140 [<ffffffff8f8000aa>] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x6e/0x76 ================================================================== Put the reference count of cache_cred in cachefiles_daemon_unbind() to fix the problem. And also put cache_cred in cachefiles_add_cache() error branch to avoid memory leaks.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2024-26840?: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cachefiles: fix memory leak in cachefiles_add_cache() The following memory leak was reported after unbinding /dev/cachefiles: ================================================================== unreferenced object 0xffff9b674176e3c0 (size 192): comm "cachefilesd2", pid 680, jiffies 4294881224 hex dump (first 32 bytes): 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ backtrace (crc ea38a44b): [<ffffffff8eb8a1a5>] kmem_cache_alloc+0x2d5/0x370 [<ffffffff8e917f86>] prepare_creds+0x26/0x2e0 [<ffffffffc002eeef>] cachefiles_determine_cache_security+0x1f/0x120 [<ffffffffc00243ec>] cachefiles_add_cache+0x13c/0x3a0 [<ffffffffc0025216>] cachefiles_daemon_write+0x146/0x1c0 [<ffffffff8ebc4a3b>] vfs_write+0xcb/0x520 [<ffffffff8ebc5069>] ksys_write+0x69/0xf0 [<ffffffff8f6d4662>] do_syscall_64+0x72/0x140 [<ffffffff8f8000aa>] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x6e/0x76 ================================================================== Put the reference count of cache_cred in cachefiles_daemon_unbind() to fix the problem. And also put cache_cred in cachefiles_add_cache() error branch to avoid memory leaks.
How severe is CVE-2024-26840?: CVE-2024-26840 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2024-26840 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (20th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2024-26840?: CVE-2024-26840 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2024-26840?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
Does CVE-2024-26840 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2024-26840 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-24102.
When was CVE-2024-26840 published?: CVE-2024-26840 was published on 2024-04-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.8:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.8:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.8:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.8:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.8:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*

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