CVE-2026-10681
SMP race in `thread_idx_alloc()` lets concurrent `k_object_alloc(K_OBJ_THREAD)` callers share a kernel-object permission slot
In Zephyr's userspace dynamic-objects subsystem, thread_idx_alloc() in kernel/userspace/userspace.c allocated a new thread permission index from the global _thread_idx_map[] bitmap without holding lists_lock. On SMP systems, two user-mode threads invoking the k_object_alloc(K_OBJ_THREAD) syscall concurrently can both observe the same low free bit, perform the same non-atomic RMW to clear it, and return the identical tidx. The two newly created K_OBJ_THREAD objects are then assigned the same thread_id, so the two user threads alias a single bit position in every kernel object's perms[] bitfield: any subsequent grant of access on a kernel object to one thread is implicitly a grant to the other, defeating userspace ACL isolation. A secondary lost-update window between the unlocked &=~BIT() in alloc and the locked |= BIT() in thread_idx_free() can also leak entries from the thread-index pool. The defect is reachable from any user-mode thread via the unrestricted __syscall k_object_alloc and is gated on CONFIG_USERSPACE, CONFIG_DYNAMIC_OBJECTS, and CONFIG_SMP. The flaw was introduced when the per-thread permission index was added in 2018 and is present in every release up to and including v4.4.0. Fixed by holding lists_lock across the bitmap RMW and the permissions clear (and inlining the obj_list traversal that previously took the lock itself).
Fixes and workarounds
Fix
The reporting source identifies this reference as a patch. Check the advisory for affected versions and supported release branches.
Source: CNA: zephyrFix
The reporting source identifies this reference as a patch. Check the advisory for affected versions and supported release branches.
Source: [email protected]Fix
The reporting source identifies this reference as a patch. Check the advisory for affected versions and supported release branches.
Source: [email protected]Affected products and versions
| Product | Versions | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| zephyr zephyrproject zephyr
https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/zephyr |
≥ 2.0.0; < 4.3.2 (affected, semver) ≥ 4.4.0; < 4.4.2 (affected, semver) Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: zephyr |
Version ranges are source assertions. Check the vendor advisory and your installed configuration before determining exposure.
NVD applicability configurations (1)
These expressions retain AND/OR operators, negation, and required environmental products. A listed product is not sufficient to establish exposure when additional conditions apply.
[
{
"negate": false,
"nodes": [
{
"cpeMatch": [
{
"criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:zephyrproject:zephyr:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"versionEndExcluding": "4.5.0",
"versionStartIncluding": "2.0.0",
"vulnerable": true
}
],
"negate": false,
"operator": "OR"
}
],
"operator": "OR"
}
]CVSS assessments
| Version / score | Vector | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 / 6.5 medium |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L | CNA: zephyr |
| 3.1 / 7.0 high |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | NVD: [email protected] |
| 3.1 / 6.5 medium |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L | NVD: [email protected] |
Exploit evidence
References
- https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/zephyr/commit/862ea2fbbeb2ccdf8ff994b03e2e3b4405f2c37dCNA: zephyr · patch
- https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/zephyr/security/advisories/GHSA-j693-5rh5-8g8hCNA: zephyr
- https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/zephyr/commit/862ea2fbbeb2ccdf8ff994b03e2e3b4405f2c37d[email protected] · Patch
- https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/zephyr/security/advisories/GHSA-j693-5rh5-8g8h[email protected] · Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory
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