---
title: "CVE-2026-97594: Linux Kernel - Use After Free"
description: "Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability in landlock caused by improper reference handling of source's parent directory in current_check_refer_path and collect_domain_accesses, letting local attackers cause kernel memory corruption via a race condition during linkat and rename operations, exploit requires entering a Landlock domain and racing filesystem calls."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-97594/
---

# CVE-2026-97594 Linux Kernel - Use After Free

Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability in landlock caused by improper reference handling of source's parent directory in current\_check\_refer\_path and collect\_domain\_accesses, letting local attackers cause kernel memory corruption via a race condition during linkat and rename operations, exploit requires entering a Landlock domain and racing filesystem calls.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

EPSS

0.16% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97594)

## Details

Type

Use After Free

Impact

Denial Of Service, Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Published

25 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for landlock use-after-free vulnerability.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97594](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97594)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2c6dc792538260a8087ac5b22c31b3b8e47c85d6](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2c6dc792538260a8087ac5b22c31b3b8e47c85d6)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/379efd2ce8b26fd35feb13ccc2f671ff105a5052](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/379efd2ce8b26fd35feb13ccc2f671ff105a5052)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba29c46ccfe3ebadfb8aa18149186c49f84b14f8](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba29c46ccfe3ebadfb8aa18149186c49f84b14f8)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4c37992b9668c4f37aae41dd95c369f7b6009915](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4c37992b9668c4f37aae41dd95c369f7b6009915)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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