CVE-2026-64399·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: add permission checks for FSCTL_DUPLICATE_EXTENTS_TO_FILE The FSCTL_DUPLICATE_EXTENTS_TO_FILE arm of smb2_ioctl() overwrites the destination file's data via vfs_clone_file_range() with neither the share-level KSMBD_TREE_CONN_FLAG_WRITABLE check nor a per-handle fp->daccess check that the other write-bearing arms carry. A client can overwrite destination data on a read-only share, or from a handle opened with only FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES (which still yields an FMODE_WRITE filp). FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES-only destination handle overwrote the file's data via the clone. Add both checks, matching the FSCTL_SET_SPARSE permission fix; require FILE_WRITE_DATA since this writes data.
- Severity
- critical
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 7.1.4
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.72% — higher than 52% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2026-64399 scores 9.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at 0.72%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 6.19
Until: 7.1.4
Fixed in: 7.1.4
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 7.1.4 or later to patch a critical permission validation flaw in the ksmbd SMB server component. This vulnerability allows unauthorized data overwrites on read-only shares through improper handling of file cloning operations. Apply the kernel update immediately and reboot your system to activate the fix.
sudo dnf update kernel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check your current kernel version: uname -r (must be 7.1.4 or higher; versions 6.19-7.1.3 are vulnerable)
- Verify ksmbd is enabled: grep -i ksmbd /boot/config-$(uname -r) (look for CONFIG_SMB_SERVER=m or CONFIG_SMB_SERVER=y)
- Monitor SMB/CIFS traffic for FSCTL_DUPLICATE_EXTENTS_TO_FILE requests: sudo tcpdump -i any 'tcp port 445' -A | grep -i 'ioctl' (inspect for file cloning requests from low-privilege handles)
- Confirm the patch is applied: grep -A 5 'FSCTL_DUPLICATE_EXTENTS_TO_FILE' /boot/System.map-$(uname -r) && verify kernel version matches 7.1.4+
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-64399?
This is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ksmbd SMB server that fails to validate file access permissions before allowing data overwrites via the FSCTL_DUPLICATE_EXTENTS_TO_FILE operation. An attacker can bypass share-level write restrictions or use a read-only file handle to overwrite file contents on the server.
Is CVE-2026-64399 being actively exploited?
No, there is no evidence of active exploitation in the wild, and no public exploit code has been released. However, the critical CVSS score (9.8) and ease of exploitation make immediate patching essential.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2026-64399?
Linux kernel versions 6.19 through 7.1.3 are vulnerable. Version 7.1.4 and later include the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-64399?
Run `uname -r` and check if your kernel version is between 6.19 and 7.1.3. Additionally, verify ksmbd is active: `lsmod | grep ksmbd` or check `/proc/net/tcp` for port 445 (SMB) connections.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-64399?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-64399 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/388e4139db27a9e3612c9d356b826f5b1ff6a9e3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/620d133d469295ee7c017ca6aafac335f65c4a5a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b9cf7e65cbeaae1b6636144bacee611cdd7a5d6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/baae7b39673ec21073a25e3d14f8feaada01d5df
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bf460ad5958d506492de4524a656439da3f99c51
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