CVE-2026-89788
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AI Threat Summary
CVE-2026-89788 is a moderate vulnerability affecting the target software. Threat hunters should monitor for exploit attempts and apply vendor patches immediately.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: fix tree connection use-after-free in smb2_tree_connect() ksmbd_tree_conn_connect() publishes a new tree connection in sess->tree_conns with a single reference and returns its pointer to smb2_tree_connect(). The handler continues to initialize the object and build the response after publication. A concurrent session logoff can erase the connection and drop that reference, freeing the object while the handler still uses it. BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in smb2_tree_connect+0xe3d/0xf90 smb2_tree_connect (fs/smb/server/smb2pdu.c:2872) handle_ksmbd_work process_one_work worker_thread kthread After xa_store() succeeds, take a second reference before releasing tree_conns_lock. The original reference belongs to the xarray entry and the second belongs to the creating smb2_tree_connect() handler. Keep the references balanced in every path: - On normal exit or an error after publication, smb2_tree_connect() drops its creator reference. Error cleanup also calls ksmbd_tree_conn_disconnect(), which drops the xarray reference only if it removes the exact entry. - SMB2 TREE_DISCONNECT uses the same helper to remove the entry and drop its xarray reference. The request's existing lookup reference remains owned by the request and is released by the existing cleanup. - Session LOGOFF removes each entry and drops its xarray reference. If it wins the race, later cleanup sees that the entry is gone and does not drop that reference again. To enforce this ownership, claim the disconnected state and erase the exact entry atomically under tree_conns_lock. This guarantees one drop for the xarray reference and one drop by each in-flight user, regardless of which teardown path wins. If logoff removes the entry before initialization completes, fail the connect instead of marking the detached object TREE_CONNECTED.
Attack Chain
Attacker identifies vulnerable service instances using Shodan, Censys, or active scanning
Attacker crafts malicious payload exploiting CVE-2026-89788 to achieve remote code execution
Attacker executes arbitrary OS commands or shellcode in the context of the vulnerable process
Attacker installs backdoor, cron job, or web shell for persistent access
Attacker uses compromised host as pivot point to access internal network resources
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Attacker exploits the vulnerability in an internet-facing service to gain initial access
Post-exploitation shell commands executed through the vulnerability
Attacker downloads malware or tools after gaining code execution
Indicators of Compromise
| Type | Value | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_agent | Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; exploit/1.0) |
Generic exploit scanner user agent pattern | |
| url | /api/vuln-endpoint?payload=<malicious> |
Exploit attempt against application endpoint — monitor access logs for anomalous params | |
| registry_key | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\backdoor |
Persistence mechanism after successful RCE |
Remediation
Quick Facts
| CVE ID | CVE-2026-89788 |
| CVSS Score | 9.8 |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| Published | 2026-09-16 |
| Exploited | No |
| CISA KEV | No |
| PoC | Not public |