CVE-2024-26953: Linux kernel · net: esp: fix bad handling of pages from page_pool
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 6.8.0-35.35 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 51% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-35.35, 6.8.0-1009.9, 6.8.0-1008.8 +7
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 1 May 2024
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-ibmpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-ibm?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available that fixes the improper handling of page_pool pages by introducing a new wrapper function skb_page_unref. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. The vendor advisory confirms the availability of a fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) networking code was fixed to address improper handling of pages from the page_pool during skb reorganization. The flaw caused a page_pool leak that could lead to a system crash, observable under specific configurations involving IPsec and GRE forwarding. The fix introduces a wrapper function to correctly manage page reference counting for page_pool pages.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2024-26953 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-26953 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/c3198822c6cb9fb588e446540485669cc81c5d34 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8291b4eac429c480386669444c6377573f5d8664 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1abb20a5f4b02fb3020f88456fc1e6069b3cdc45 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f278ff9db67264715d0d50e3e75044f8b78990f4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c3198822c6cb9fb588e446540485669cc81c5d34 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6816-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6817-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6817-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6817-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6878-1 (opens in a new tab)