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

bpf: Fix vmlinux BTF prep race in bpf_get_btf_vmlinux

bpf_get_btf_vmlinux() lazily parses the vmlinux BTF under the
bpf_verifier_lock, but publishes the result through a plain store
and re-checks it through a plain lockless load. Nothing orders
the stores initializing the struct btf inside btf_parse_vmlinux()
against the store publishing the pointer: On a weakly ordered
arch, a concurrent first-time caller taking the lockless fast
path could in principle observe the pointer before the parsed
contents are visible. The mutex_unlock() does not help such a
reader given it only synchronizes with a later acquisition of the
same lock. Thus, publish the pointer with smp_store_release()
and read it on the fast path with smp_load_acquire().

Acquire semantics are needed rather than a dependency-ordered
READ_ONCE(): btf_parse_vmlinux() also populates globals outside
the returned object (e.g. bpf_ctx_convert.t). An address
dependency would only order accesses performed through the
pointer and not cover other globals.
Published: 2026-09-17
Score: n/a
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
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History

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix vmlinux BTF prep race in bpf_get_btf_vmlinux bpf_get_btf_vmlinux() lazily parses the vmlinux BTF under the bpf_verifier_lock, but publishes the result through a plain store and re-checks it through a plain lockless load. Nothing orders the stores initializing the struct btf inside btf_parse_vmlinux() against the store publishing the pointer: On a weakly ordered arch, a concurrent first-time caller taking the lockless fast path could in principle observe the pointer before the parsed contents are visible. The mutex_unlock() does not help such a reader given it only synchronizes with a later acquisition of the same lock. Thus, publish the pointer with smp_store_release() and read it on the fast path with smp_load_acquire(). Acquire semantics are needed rather than a dependency-ordered READ_ONCE(): btf_parse_vmlinux() also populates globals outside the returned object (e.g. bpf_ctx_convert.t). An address dependency would only order accesses performed through the pointer and not cover other globals.
Title bpf: Fix vmlinux BTF prep race in bpf_get_btf_vmlinux
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: 2026-09-17T16:11:38.795Z

Reserved: 2026-09-17T16:02:15.088Z

Link: CVE-2026-93138

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-17T17:18:08.720

Modified: 2026-09-17T17:18:08.720

Link: CVE-2026-93138

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

No weakness.