CVE-2026-104112
Missing release of passed file descriptors in illumos nscd allows local users to exhaust kernel memory
Description
A missing release of resources in the illumos name service cache daemon (nscd) allows a local user to exhaust kernel memory. The nscd door server procedure, switcher() in usr/src/cmd/nscd/nscd_frontend.c, does not close file descriptors that are passed with a door call but not used by the request, and the main nscd door at /var/run/name_service_door accepts passed descriptors from any user in its zone. Because nscd also runs with an unlimited file descriptor limit, an unprivileged local user, including one in a non-global zone, can repeatedly pass a descriptor to its zone's nscd in a door_call() loop, causing the file descriptor table of nscd to grow without bound in kernel memory. This causes a denial of service of nscd and can render processes in all zones on the host unresponsive. The flaw has existed since 2006 (illumos-gate commit cb5caa98), and affects any illumos distribution prior to illumos-gate commit af810a72.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 9, 2026, 3:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Oct. 9, 2026, 5:16 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
0ca53633-f0b5-4853-ba72-e0a2e62000d0
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | 0ca53633-f0b5-4853-ba72-e0a2e62000d0 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | 0ca53633-f0b5-4853-ba72-e0a2e62000d0 |
Solution
- Apply the illumos-gate commit af810a72 or later.
- Restart the nscd service.
- Monitor system memory usage.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-104112.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-104112 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-104112
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-104112 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-104112 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Oct. 09, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-104112', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-10-09T16:15:18.136992Z'} -
New CVE Received by 0ca53633-f0b5-4853-ba72-e0a2e62000d0
Oct. 09, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description A missing release of resources in the illumos name service cache daemon (nscd) allows a local user to exhaust kernel memory. The nscd door server procedure, switcher() in usr/src/cmd/nscd/nscd_frontend.c, does not close file descriptors that are passed with a door call but not used by the request, and the main nscd door at /var/run/name_service_door accepts passed descriptors from any user in its zone. Because nscd also runs with an unlimited file descriptor limit, an unprivileged local user, including one in a non-global zone, can repeatedly pass a descriptor to its zone's nscd in a door_call() loop, causing the file descriptor table of nscd to grow without bound in kernel memory. This causes a denial of service of nscd and can render processes in all zones on the host unresponsive. The flaw has existed since 2006 (illumos-gate commit cb5caa98), and affects any illumos distribution prior to illumos-gate commit af810a72. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:H/E:P/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CWE CWE-772 Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/104xxx/CVE-2026-104112.json">CVE-2026-104112</a> Added Reference https://github.com/illumos/illumos-gate/commit/af810a72c09944e884ec695e8dbf1702a4f424ae Added Reference https://illumos.org/issues/18494 Added Reference https://illumos.topicbox.com/groups/developer/T3b859664594b7762/cve-2026-104112-to-cve-2026-104117-denial-of-service-and-missing-authorization-in-door-servers