CVE-2026-64173 tracing: Do not call map->ops->elt_free() if elt_alloc() fails
A null pointer dereference in Linux kernel tracing can cause a system crash when memory allocation fails during trace map operations.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-64173?
CVE-2026-64173 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 19 Jul 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
tracing: Do not call map->ops->elt_free() if elt_alloc() fails
In paths where tracing_map_elt_alloc() failed to allocate objects, the map->ops->elt_alloc() call was never successful. In this case, map->ops->elt_free() should not be called.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-64173?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64173?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-64173 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-64173 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-64173, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-64173, GHSA-2pv6-rxgj-2695, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-64173.