Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-74481

#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80900
##
# (C) Tenable, Inc.
##

include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(335866);
  script_version("1.1");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2026/08/15");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2026-74481");

  script_name(english:"Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-74481");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed with a vulnerability that the vendor indicates will not be
patched.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed that are impacted by a vulnerability without a vendor supplied
patch available.

  - mm/page_reporting: use system_freezable_wq to fix UAF during suspend During PM freeze (e.g. S3 suspend or
    S4 hibernation), device drivers like virtio_balloon reset their underlying virtio devices and delete their
    virtqueues via vdev->config->del_vqs(). However, page reporting work (page_reporting_process) was
    scheduled on the global system_wq. Because system_wq lacks the WQ_FREEZABLE flag, the PM freezer skips it,
    leaving page_reporting_process active during suspend. If pages are freed into the buddy allocator while
    suspending (for example, when core MM invokes the balloon shrinker during S4 hibernation image saving),
    page reporting triggers virtballoon_free_page_report() on deleted virtqueues, resulting in a Use-After-
    Free / General Protection Fault: [ 196.795226] general protection fault, probably for non-canonical
    address 0xaa1436fe70dae6df: 0000 [#1] SMP NOPTI [ 196.825967] Workqueue: events page_reporting_process [
    196.831038] RIP: 0010:virtqueue_add_split+0x233/0x4c0 [virtio_ring] [ 196.927073]
    virtballoon_free_page_report+0x3a/0xe0 [virtio_balloon] [ 196.946943] page_reporting_process+0x370/0x4f0
    Fix this by switching page reporting work to system_freezable_wq. This ensures that the PM freezer pauses
    page_reporting_process before device drivers destroy their reporting virtqueues. Because the reporting
    worker is frozen, memory reclamation/freeing (e.g. via shrinker execution) can safely return pages to MM
    during freeze without triggering unfrozen reporting work on deleted virtqueues. This aligns with the
    driver's existing design. The comment in virtballoon_freeze() states: /* * The workqueue is already frozen
    by the PM core before this * function is called. */ Testing: I have verified these fixes using Google's
    virtualization infrastructure by running continuous suspend/resume iterations (40+ cycles) while churning
    memory using stress-ng (`stress-ng --vm 4 --vm-bytes 60% --timeout 1`) to constantly create free pages for
    the buddy allocator. We also set the `page_reporting_order` parameter to 0 to make the page reporting
    worker highly sensitive, forcing it to pick up any 4K free pages. This confirmed that the UAF crashes are
    no longer reproducible. (CVE-2026-74481)

Note that Nessus relies on the presence of the package as reported by the vendor.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2026-74481");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"There is no known solution at this time.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"agent", value:"unix");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:U/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:U/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2026-74481");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vendor_unpatched", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2026/08/15");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2026/08/15");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:11.0");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:12.0");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:13.0");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:14.0");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:linux");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"current");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Misc.");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2026 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info2.nasl", "set_linux_os_id.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/cpu", "Host/local_checks_enabled", "global_settings/vendor_unpatched", "Host/OS/identifier");
  script_require_ports("Host/OS/Debian Linux-11", "Host/OS/Debian Linux-12", "Host/OS/Debian Linux-13", "Host/OS/Debian Linux-14");

  exit(0);
}

if (!get_kb_item("global_settings/vendor_unpatched")) exit(0, "Unpatched Vulnerabilities Detection not active.");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (empty_or_null(get_one_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l"))) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);

include('linux_unpatched.inc');

var distro_constraints_array = {
  "Debian Linux-12": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "12",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "btrfs-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "cdrom-core-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "ext4-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "fat-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "isofs-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "jfs-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "kernel-image-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "linux-doc"},
          {"reference": "linux-doc-6.1"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.1.0"},
          {"reference": "linux-source"},
          {"reference": "linux-source-6.1"},
          {"reference": "linux-support-6.1.0"},
          {"reference": "loop-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "nic-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "nic-shared-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "nic-wireless-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "pata-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "ppp-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "scsi-core-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "scsi-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "scsi-nic-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "serial-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "usb-serial-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "xfs-modules-6.1.0-50-alpha-generic-di"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Debian Linux-11": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "11",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "bpftool"},
          {"reference": "btrfs-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "cdrom-core-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "hyperv-daemons"},
          {"reference": "kernel-image-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "libcpupower-dev"},
          {"reference": "libcpupower1"},
          {"reference": "linux-bootwrapper-5.10.0"},
          {"reference": "linux-config-5.10"},
          {"reference": "linux-cpupower"},
          {"reference": "linux-doc"},
          {"reference": "linux-doc-5.10"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-5.10.0"},
          {"reference": "linux-kbuild-5.10"},
          {"reference": "linux-libc-dev"},
          {"reference": "linux-perf"},
          {"reference": "linux-perf-5.10"},
          {"reference": "linux-source"},
          {"reference": "linux-source-5.10"},
          {"reference": "linux-support-5.10.0"},
          {"reference": "loop-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "nic-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "nic-shared-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "nic-wireless-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "pata-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "ppp-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "scsi-core-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "scsi-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "scsi-nic-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "serial-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "usb-serial-modules-5.10.0-32-alpha-generic-di"},
          {"reference": "usbip"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Debian Linux-14": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "14",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "bpftool"},
          {"reference": "hyperv-daemons"},
          {"reference": "intel-sdsi"},
          {"reference": "libcpupower-dev"},
          {"reference": "libcpupower1"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-alpha-generic"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-alpha-smp"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-amd64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-arm64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-arm64-16k"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-armmp"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-armmp-lpae"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-cloud-amd64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-cloud-arm64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-loong64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-m68k"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-parisc"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-parisc64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-powerpc"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-powerpc-smp"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-powerpc64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-powerpc64-64k"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-powerpc64le"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-powerpc64le-64k"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-riscv64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-rt-amd64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-rt-arm64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-s390x"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-sh7751r"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-sparc64"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-sparc64-smp"},
          {"reference": "linux-base-7.1.7+deb14-test"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Debian Linux-13": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "13",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "bpftool"},
          {"reference": "hyperv-daemons"},
          {"reference": "intel-sdsi"},
          {"reference": "libcpupower-dev"},
          {"reference": "libcpupower1"},
          {"reference": "linux-bpf-dev"},
          {"reference": "linux-config-6.12"},
          {"reference": "linux-cpupower"},
          {"reference": "linux-doc"},
          {"reference": "linux-doc-6.12"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-4kc-malta"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-5kc-malta"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-4kc-malta"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-5kc-malta"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-alpha-generic"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-alpha-smp"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-amd64"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-arm64"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-arm64-16k"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-armmp"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-armmp-lpae"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-cloud-amd64"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-cloud-arm64"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-common"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-common-rt"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-loong64"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-loongson-3"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-m68k"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-mips32r2eb"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-mips32r2el"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-mips64r2eb"},
          {"reference": "linux-headers-6.12.94+deb13-mips64r2el"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
};

var distro_constraints_values = linux_unpatched::get_distro_constraints(distro_constraints_arr:distro_constraints_array);
if (empty_or_null(distro_constraints_values)) audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');

var third_party_support = get_kb_item('Host/OS/extended-third-party');
if (!empty_or_null(third_party_support)) {
    var third_party_vendors = distro_constraints_values['third_party'];
    if (!empty_or_null(third_party_vendors)) {
        var vendor;
        foreach vendor (third_party_vendors) {
            if (vendor == third_party_support) exit(0, 'A third party management patch is available for this vulnerability from ' + vendor + '.\n');
        }
    }
}

var report = linux_unpatched::check_unpatched_constraints(distro_constraints_values:distro_constraints_values);

if (!empty_or_null(report))
{
  security_report_v4(
      port       : 0,
      severity   : SECURITY_WARNING,
      extra      : report
  );
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
}