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

nitro_enclaves: fix use-after-free on SLOT_ALLOC failure

When ne_create_vm_ioctl() fails the SLOT_ALLOC request after
anon_inode_getfile() has succeeded, the error path calls
fput(enclave_file) and then frees ne_enclave.

In normal userspace context, fput() defers the final __fput() via
task_work. ne_enclave_release() therefore runs after ne_enclave has
already been freed and dereferences ne_enclave->slot_uid, causing a
use-after-free: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in ne_enclave_release.

The enclave has no slot allocated and is not yet linked into the
enclaves list on this error path, so ne_enclave_release() is expected
to return early when slot_uid is zero. However, reading slot_uid
already accesses the freed object.

Clear enclave_file->private_data before fput() on the error path.
ne_enclave_release() then returns immediately when private_data is
NULL, leaving the ioctl error path as the sole owner of ne_enclave.
This is safe because the file has not been fd_install()'d yet.

Tested on an AWS EC2 m5.2xlarge with CONFIG_KASAN=y. Without the
patch, the reproducer triggers a KASAN slab-use-after-free on every
SLOT_ALLOC failure. With the patch, no KASAN report is produced and
the SLOT_ALLOC error is still returned. Normal enclave creation and
teardown are unaffected.
Published: 2026-10-18
Score: n/a
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
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History

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nitro_enclaves: fix use-after-free on SLOT_ALLOC failure When ne_create_vm_ioctl() fails the SLOT_ALLOC request after anon_inode_getfile() has succeeded, the error path calls fput(enclave_file) and then frees ne_enclave. In normal userspace context, fput() defers the final __fput() via task_work. ne_enclave_release() therefore runs after ne_enclave has already been freed and dereferences ne_enclave->slot_uid, causing a use-after-free: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in ne_enclave_release. The enclave has no slot allocated and is not yet linked into the enclaves list on this error path, so ne_enclave_release() is expected to return early when slot_uid is zero. However, reading slot_uid already accesses the freed object. Clear enclave_file->private_data before fput() on the error path. ne_enclave_release() then returns immediately when private_data is NULL, leaving the ioctl error path as the sole owner of ne_enclave. This is safe because the file has not been fd_install()'d yet. Tested on an AWS EC2 m5.2xlarge with CONFIG_KASAN=y. Without the patch, the reproducer triggers a KASAN slab-use-after-free on every SLOT_ALLOC failure. With the patch, no KASAN report is produced and the SLOT_ALLOC error is still returned. Normal enclave creation and teardown are unaffected.
Title nitro_enclaves: fix use-after-free on SLOT_ALLOC failure
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: 2026-10-18T15:48:11.317Z

Reserved: 2026-09-25T10:25:14.369Z

Link: CVE-2026-98775

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-10-18T16:17:31.437

Modified: 2026-10-18T16:17:31.437

Link: CVE-2026-98775

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

No weakness.