Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu()

update_rlimit_cpu() converts the RLIMIT_CPU value to nanoseconds with

u64 nsecs = rlim_new * NSEC_PER_SEC;

On 32-bit kernels both rlim_new (unsigned long) and NSEC_PER_SEC
(1000000000L) are 32-bit, so the multiplication is performed in unsigned
long and truncated for rlim_new > 4 seconds before being widened to u64.

The same file already casts to u64 for the matching computation in
check_process_timers():

u64 softns = (u64)soft * NSEC_PER_SEC;

As a result, the truncated value is installed into the CPUCLOCK_PROF
expiry cache (nextevt), causing the process CPU timer to be programmed
to fire prematurely for any RLIMIT_CPU soft limit >= 5 seconds. The
actual SIGXCPU/SIGKILL decision in check_process_timers() already casts
to u64 and is therefore correct, so limit enforcement is not broken;
only the expiry-cache programming is wrong. Apply the same cast here so
both paths convert rlim_cur identically.

64-bit kernels are unaffected.
Published: 2026-08-15
Score: n/a
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
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History

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu() update_rlimit_cpu() converts the RLIMIT_CPU value to nanoseconds with u64 nsecs = rlim_new * NSEC_PER_SEC; On 32-bit kernels both rlim_new (unsigned long) and NSEC_PER_SEC (1000000000L) are 32-bit, so the multiplication is performed in unsigned long and truncated for rlim_new > 4 seconds before being widened to u64. The same file already casts to u64 for the matching computation in check_process_timers(): u64 softns = (u64)soft * NSEC_PER_SEC; As a result, the truncated value is installed into the CPUCLOCK_PROF expiry cache (nextevt), causing the process CPU timer to be programmed to fire prematurely for any RLIMIT_CPU soft limit >= 5 seconds. The actual SIGXCPU/SIGKILL decision in check_process_timers() already casts to u64 and is therefore correct, so limit enforcement is not broken; only the expiry-cache programming is wrong. Apply the same cast here so both paths convert rlim_cur identically. 64-bit kernels are unaffected.
Title posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu()
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-15T05:52:21.007Z

Reserved: 2026-08-09T03:40:39.903Z

Link: CVE-2026-72068

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-15T06:21:16.467

Modified: 2026-08-15T06:21:16.467

Link: CVE-2026-72068

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

No weakness.