CVE-2026-80521
af_unix: Unlink scc_entry in unix_del_edge().
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: af_unix: Unlink scc_entry in unix_del_edge(). Kyle Zeng reported that GC could free a dead SCC partially. The scenario is as follows: 1) Create two SCCs: X -. A <-> B ^--' 2) Run the following concurrently: 2-1) send() sk-B to sk-B from sk-X 2-2) close() both A and B At 2-1), there is a small window where unix_add_edges() publishes a new edge (B <-> B) to GC but its skb is not queued by skb_queue_tail(). If 2-2) completes before skb_queue_tail() and GC is triggered, it judges A <-> B as dead, but B is not freed because GC cannot collect the not-yet-queued skb holding the B <-> B edge. X -. A <-> B -. This edge is visible ^--' ^..' but skb is not This itself is not a problem since the next GC run will judge B as dead as well and free it finally. X -. A <.> B -. ^--' ^--' However, X's SCC forces the next GC to call unix_walk_scc_fast(), and it iterates over A through B's scc_entry. Let's unlink scc_entry before freeing the vertex in unix_del_edge().
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 26, 2026, 3:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 21, 2026, 2:17 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 |
Solution
- Update the Linux kernel to the latest version.
- Apply the specific patch for af_unix vulnerability.
- Recompile and reboot the system if necessary.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
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CVE-2026-80521.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-80521 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
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stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-80521
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-2026-80521 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
-
The Hacker News
Exploit Released for Unpatched Ubuntu Linux Flaw Enabling Host-Root Container Escape
A use-after-free in the Linux kernel's AF_UNIX socket subsystem can be used to escape a container and gain root on the host, security firm DepthFirst said in research published September 22. The flaw, ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-80521 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 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Sep. 21, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected Affected value modified. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/80xxx/CVE-2026-80521.json">CVE-2026-80521</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1293fd69a50d188a5788b08ba3741a3e86be1608 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe198b077864feafd4aa4b33b1a5ce26f50195a2 -
CVE Modified by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Aug. 27, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H -
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Aug. 26, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: af_unix: Unlink scc_entry in unix_del_edge(). Kyle Zeng reported that GC could free a dead SCC partially. The scenario is as follows: 1) Create two SCCs: X -. A <-> B ^--' 2) Run the following concurrently: 2-1) send() sk-B to sk-B from sk-X 2-2) close() both A and B At 2-1), there is a small window where unix_add_edges() publishes a new edge (B <-> B) to GC but its skb is not queued by skb_queue_tail(). If 2-2) completes before skb_queue_tail() and GC is triggered, it judges A <-> B as dead, but B is not freed because GC cannot collect the not-yet-queued skb holding the B <-> B edge. X -. A <-> B -. This edge is visible ^--' ^..' but skb is not This itself is not a problem since the next GC run will judge B as dead as well and free it finally. X -. A <.> B -. ^--' ^--' However, X's SCC forces the next GC to call unix_walk_scc_fast(), and it iterates over A through B's scc_entry. Let's unlink scc_entry before freeing the vertex in unix_del_edge(). Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/80xxx/CVE-2026-80521.json">CVE-2026-80521</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/594d905195024b228c962627ae5ae7c17bd582a4 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e3702470ced94fad74d71e2232f022d2eb752a6d