# CVE-2026-68179: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  misc: nsm: only unlock nsm_dev on post-lock erro...

CVE-2026-68179 is fixed in 52 products on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-68179, released August 11, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-68179
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 8.4 (high)
- EPSS: 0.0018
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Aug 10, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  misc: nsm: only unlock nsm_dev on post-lock error paths  nsm_dev_ioctl() jumps to the common out label even when the initial copy_from_user() fails before nsm->lock has been taken.  The error path then blindly unlocks a mutex that was never acquired.  This issue was found by our static analysis tool and then manually reviewed against the current tree.  The grounded PoC kept the miscdevice ioctl entry and the pre-lock copy_from_user(&raw, argp, _IOC_SIZE(cmd)) failure path by issuing NSM_IOCTL_RAW with an invalid user pointer.  That failure reaches the shared out label before mutex_lock(&nsm->lock).  Lockdep reported:    WARNING: bad unlock balance detected!   exploit/193 is trying to release lock (&global_nsm.lock) at:   nsm_dev_ioctl+0x5f/0xcf [vuln_msv]   but there are no more locks to release!   no locks held by exploit/193.  Return immediately on the pre-lock copy_from_user() failure and keep the common unlock label for the post-lock paths only.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | bpftool6.12 amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | bpftool6.12-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | bpftool6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | bpftool6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | dtb-aarch64 opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-64kb opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-64kb sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-azure opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-azure sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default-base opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1.160000.2.22 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default-base sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1.160000.2.23 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-docs opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-docs sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-kvmsmall opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-kvmsmall sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-livepatch-6.12.103-127.188 amzn 2023 | 1:1.0-0.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-livepatch-6.18.44-99.149 amzn 2023 | 1:1.0-0.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-build opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-qa opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-qa sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-rt opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-source opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-source sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-syms opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-syms sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-zfcpdump opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21910-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21910-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-zfcpdump sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.38.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:23902-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-23902-1.md) | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12 amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-debuginfo-common-aarch64 amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-debuginfo-common-x86_64 amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-devel amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-headers amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-modules-extra amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-modules-extra-common amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-tools amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-tools-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.12-tools-devel amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-debuginfo-common-aarch64 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-debuginfo-common-x86_64 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-devel amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-headers amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-modules-extra amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-modules-extra-common amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-tools amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-tools-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-tools-devel amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 6.12.101-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-68179](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-68179.md) | Aug 11, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.1.6-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-68179](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-68179.md) | Aug 11, 2026 |
| Linux | linux-6.12 Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 6.12.101-1~deb12u1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-68179](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-68179.md) | Aug 11, 2026 |
| Linux | microvm-kernel6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | perf6.12 amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | perf6.12-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | perf6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | perf6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | python3-perf6.12 amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | python3-perf6.12-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.12.103-127.188.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2110](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2110.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | python3-perf6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Linux | python3-perf6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.44-99.149.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-2106](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-2106.md) | Aug 31, 2026 |

---

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