CVE-2026-99233: Linux kernel · tracing/histograms: Verify event_call identity when updating synth_event refcount
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in cf4e31d5da80fae4c9cdbe7af55b7c3ad213f0e4 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:30 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CNA (Linux) | CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 |
|---|
- Patch
- Available – fixed in cf4e31d5da80fae4c9cdbe7af55b7c3ad213f0e4, 4472579bd1c83708b6fe623c870cdf728e947205, 5597bb8db6855fcb97a67196d227fea359bcd81c +3
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 2 Nov 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel after version 4.17, as indicated by multiple fixed commit hashes. Users and administrators should update their Linux kernel to a version that includes these fixes to mitigate the vulnerability. No additional vendor advisory indicates any alternative mitigations or that no action is required.
Description
CVE-2026-99233 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's tracing/histograms subsystem. It involves improper verification of event identity when updating synthetic event reference counts, which can lead to use-after-free conditions. The flaw occurs because the system only compares event basenames, allowing a non-synthetic event with a matching basename to incorrectly modify a synthetic event's reference count. This can cause the synthetic event to be freed while still in use by an active histogram action. The issue affects Linux kernel version 4.17 and has been fixed in subsequent commits.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/381f543ed35c434d5b707369aa5dcd69ecf440af (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4472579bd1c83708b6fe623c870cdf728e947205 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/23b4106e8b35823acc79e206c7745f55b9cfd78b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/06e816bed499fe47f39f12044382cc5d064485fb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5597bb8db6855fcb97a67196d227fea359bcd81c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf4e31d5da80fae4c9cdbe7af55b7c3ad213f0e4 (opens in a new tab)