CVE-2026-64400·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: prevent path traversal bypass by restricting caseless retry ksmbd_vfs_path_lookup() enforces LOOKUP_BENEATH to restrict path resolution within the share root. When a crafted path attempts to escape the share boundary using parent-directory components ('..'), vfs_path_parent_lookup() detects this and immediately fails, returning -EXDEV. However, a bug exists in __ksmbd_vfs_kern_path() under caseless mode. The function fails to intercept the -EXDEV error and erroneously falls through to the caseless retry logic, which is intended only for genuinely missing files. During this retry process, the path is reconstructed, leading to an unintended LOOKUP_BENEATH bypass that allows write-capable users to create zero-length files or directories outside the exported share. Fix this by ensuring that the execution only proceeds to the caseless lookup retry when the error is specifically -ENOENT. Any other errors, such as -EXDEV from a path traversal attempt, must be returned immediately.
- Severity
- high
- 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 0.51% — higher than 41% 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-2026-64400 scores 8.6 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at 0.51%, 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: 6.3.10
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 the ksmbd path traversal vulnerability that allows write-capable users to bypass share boundary restrictions. Systems running ksmbd (SMB/CIFS server implementation) between versions 6.3.10 and 7.1.3 should prioritize this update to prevent unauthorized file and directory creation outside configured shares. Apply the kernel update and reboot your system to ensure the fix takes effect.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-devel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r | awk -F. '{print $1"."$2"."$3}'
- Verify ksmbd module is loaded: lsmod | grep ksmbd (if present, the vulnerability may be exploitable if kernel version is 6.3.10-7.1.3)
- Search for suspicious file creation attempts outside share root in syslog: sudo grep -i 'ksmbd\|path_traversal\|EXDEV' /var/log/syslog /var/log/kern.log
- Confirm kernel patch by checking release notes: cat /proc/version and verify version is 7.1.4 or later
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-64400?
CVE-2026-64400 is a path traversal vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ksmbd SMB server component where a flawed error-handling path allows write-capable users to create files and directories outside the configured share boundary, bypassing LOOKUP_BENEATH restrictions intended to confine file operations to the share root.
Is CVE-2026-64400 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2026-64400 is not currently listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, and no public exploits are available. However, the attack requires only write access to the share, making it a risk in environments with untrusted SMB users.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2026-64400?
Linux kernel versions 6.3.10 through 7.1.3 are vulnerable. Version 7.1.4 and later contain the fix that properly restricts caseless path lookup retry to -ENOENT errors only.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-64400?
Run 'uname -r' and compare your kernel version against the vulnerable range (6.3.10–7.1.3). If your kernel falls within this range and ksmbd is active (check 'lsmod | grep ksmbd'), your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-64400?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-64400 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/54bab9ba5a9f156ffa9324fcbe5a356fd0242f95
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c9a4f1327eb71efbf14842e7b8a6d965077eb67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a1c331d98313380c38f616c8b28b890ec8ef9c28
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cfb5a56c218888f9d74165dff0c282cd0be97983
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eec1dd2586c4016b7555a5d047db2b3756459fb2
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