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

ecryptfs: hold msg ctx list lock when cleaning daemon queue

ecryptfs_exorcise_daemon() drops queued messages from a dying daemon
without holding ecryptfs_msg_ctx_lists_mux, but
ecryptfs_msg_ctx_alloc_to_free() requires that lock.

Take the list lock while moving the queued contexts back to the free
list to avoid racing with other global msg ctx list users.
Published: 2026-09-11
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Race condition that may lead to data corruption or denial of service in the ecryptfs module
Action: Patch Kernel
AI Analysis

Impact

In the Linux kernel, the ecryptfs module lacked a required list lock while cleaning a dying daemon’s queued messages. The function ecryptfs_exorcise_daemon() dropped queued messages without holding ecryptfs_msg_ctx_lists_mux, yet ecryptfs_msg_ctx_alloc_to_free() requires that lock. This oversight creates a race condition that could corrupt data or crash the system when the queued contexts are moved back to the free list, impacting data integrity and availability.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel (Linux:Linux) at all versions that contain the unpatched ecryptfs code. No specific version numbers are supplied, so any kernel with the legacy ecryptfs module is potentially impacted.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 5.3 indicates medium severity. The EPSS score is less than 1%, indicating a very low probability of exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Based on the kernel-level nature of the vulnerability, it is inferred that exploiting this race would likely require local or privileged access; it is not explicitly stated that other attack vectors are possible. No publicly known exploits have been reported.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 13, 2026 at 06:31 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update the Linux kernel to a version that includes the ecryptfs_msg_ctx lock fix.
  • Ensure the ecryptfs module is not loaded if the filesystem is not required.
  • After a kernel update, reboot the system to apply the patch and clear any stuck daemon queues.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 13, 2026 at 06:31 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 06:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-820
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ecryptfs: hold msg ctx list lock when cleaning daemon queue ecryptfs_exorcise_daemon() drops queued messages from a dying daemon without holding ecryptfs_msg_ctx_lists_mux, but ecryptfs_msg_ctx_alloc_to_free() requires that lock. Take the list lock while moving the queued contexts back to the free list to avoid racing with other global msg ctx list users.
Title ecryptfs: hold msg ctx list lock when cleaning daemon queue
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: 2026-09-13T06:31:46.367Z

Reserved: 2026-09-11T19:38:34.734Z

Link: CVE-2026-89609

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-11T20:19:45.983

Modified: 2026-09-13T07:17:26.390

Link: CVE-2026-89609

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-09-11T19:45:11Z

Links: CVE-2026-89609 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-13T06:45:18Z

Weaknesses