CVE-2026-53174
CVE-2026-53174 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (3rd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-39265
- Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ovl: keep err zero after successful ovl_cache_get() ovl_iterate_merged() stores PTR_ERR(cache) in err before checking IS_ERR(cache). On success err holds the truncated cache pointer and can be returned as a bogus non-zero error. The syzbot reproducer reaches this through overlay-on-overlay readdir: getdents64 iterate_dir(outer overlay file) ovl_iterate_merged() ovl_cache_get() ovl_dir_read_merged() ovl_dir_read() iterate_dir(inner overlay file) ovl_iterate_merged() Only compute PTR_ERR(cache) on the error path.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-53174?
- In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ovl: keep err zero after successful ovl_cache_get() ovl_iterate_merged() stores PTR_ERR(cache) in err before checking IS_ERR(cache). On success err holds the truncated cache pointer and can be returned as a bogus non-zero error. The syzbot reproducer reaches this through overlay-on-overlay readdir: getdents64 iterate_dir(outer overlay file) ovl_iterate_merged() ovl_cache_get() ovl_dir_read_merged() ovl_dir_read() iterate_dir(inner overlay file) ovl_iterate_merged() Only compute PTR_ERR(cache) on the error path.
- How severe is CVE-2026-53174?
- CVE-2026-53174 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2026-53174 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (3rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2026-53174?
- CVE-2026-53174 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-53174?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2026-53174 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2026-53174 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-39265.
- When was CVE-2026-53174 published?
- CVE-2026-53174 was published on 2026-06-25 and last updated on 2026-07-06.
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1711b6ed6953cee5940ca4c3a6e77f1b3798cee2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e7051909a01bfb883bfa78b27514854068ac4b85
Affected products (7)
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:*
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