In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu()
update_rlimit_cpu() converts the RLIMIT_CPU value to nanoseconds with
u64 nsecs = rlim_new * NSEC_PER_SEC;
On 32-bit kernels both rlim_new (unsigned long) and NSEC_PER_SEC
(1000000000L) are 32-bit, so the multiplication is performed in unsigned
long and truncated for rlim_new > 4 seconds before being widened to u64.
The same file already casts to u64 for the matching computation in
check_process_timers():
u64 softns = (u64)soft * NSEC_PER_SEC;
As a result, the truncated value is installed into the CPUCLOCK_PROF
expiry cache (nextevt), causing the process CPU timer to be programmed
to fire prematurely for any RLIMIT_CPU soft limit >= 5 seconds. The
actual SIGXCPU/SIGKILL decision in check_process_timers() already casts
to u64 and is therefore correct, so limit enforcement is not broken;
only the expiry-cache programming is wrong. Apply the same cast here so
both paths convert rlim_cur identically.
64-bit kernels are unaffected.
posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu()
update_rlimit_cpu() converts the RLIMIT_CPU value to nanoseconds with
u64 nsecs = rlim_new * NSEC_PER_SEC;
On 32-bit kernels both rlim_new (unsigned long) and NSEC_PER_SEC
(1000000000L) are 32-bit, so the multiplication is performed in unsigned
long and truncated for rlim_new > 4 seconds before being widened to u64.
The same file already casts to u64 for the matching computation in
check_process_timers():
u64 softns = (u64)soft * NSEC_PER_SEC;
As a result, the truncated value is installed into the CPUCLOCK_PROF
expiry cache (nextevt), causing the process CPU timer to be programmed
to fire prematurely for any RLIMIT_CPU soft limit >= 5 seconds. The
actual SIGXCPU/SIGKILL decision in check_process_timers() already casts
to u64 and is therefore correct, so limit enforcement is not broken;
only the expiry-cache programming is wrong. Apply the same cast here so
both paths convert rlim_cur identically.
64-bit kernels are unaffected.
Metrics
Affected Vendors & Products
Advisories
No advisories yet.
Fixes
Solution
No solution given by the vendor.
Workaround
No workaround given by the vendor.
References
History
Sat, 15 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu() update_rlimit_cpu() converts the RLIMIT_CPU value to nanoseconds with u64 nsecs = rlim_new * NSEC_PER_SEC; On 32-bit kernels both rlim_new (unsigned long) and NSEC_PER_SEC (1000000000L) are 32-bit, so the multiplication is performed in unsigned long and truncated for rlim_new > 4 seconds before being widened to u64. The same file already casts to u64 for the matching computation in check_process_timers(): u64 softns = (u64)soft * NSEC_PER_SEC; As a result, the truncated value is installed into the CPUCLOCK_PROF expiry cache (nextevt), causing the process CPU timer to be programmed to fire prematurely for any RLIMIT_CPU soft limit >= 5 seconds. The actual SIGXCPU/SIGKILL decision in check_process_timers() already casts to u64 and is therefore correct, so limit enforcement is not broken; only the expiry-cache programming is wrong. Apply the same cast here so both paths convert rlim_cur identically. 64-bit kernels are unaffected. | |
| Title | posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu() | |
| First Time appeared |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
|
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | |
| Vendors & Products |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
|
| References |
|
|
Projects
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MITRE
Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: Linux
Published:
Updated: 2026-08-15T05:52:21.007Z
Reserved: 2026-08-09T03:40:39.903Z
Link: CVE-2026-72068
Vulnrichment
No data.
NVD
Status : Received
Published: 2026-08-15T06:21:16.467
Modified: 2026-08-15T06:21:16.467
Link: CVE-2026-72068
Redhat
No data.
OpenCVE Enrichment
No data.
Weaknesses
No weakness.