CVE-2026-23001: Linux kernel · macvlan: fix possible UAF in macvlan_forward_source()
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 484919832e2db6ce1e8add92c469e5d459a516b5 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 10% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation and no public proof of concept
- Automatable
- Attackers cannot reliably automate steps 1–4 of the kill chain
- Technical impact
- Total control over the software or total information disclosure
CISA SSVC assessment, 2026-06-16.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 484919832e2db6ce1e8add92c469e5d459a516b5, 8518712a2ca952d6da2238c6f0a16b4ae5ea3f13, 8133e85b8a3ec9f10d861e0002ec6037256e987e +4
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Jan 2026
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.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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AI-suggested
A fix for this vulnerability is available and has been integrated into the Linux kernel. Users and administrators should update to a fixed kernel version that includes the patches referenced by the commit hashes in the established facts. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2026-23001 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the macvlan_forward_source() function of the Linux kernel's macvlan networking component. The flaw involves improper handling of the vlan pointer in macvlan_source_entry structures, which could lead to accessing freed memory. The issue has been fixed by adding Read-Copy-Update (RCU) protection and clearing the vlan pointer before the RCU grace period starts, preventing macvlan_forward_source() from processing entries queued for freeing.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8133e85b8a3ec9f10d861e0002ec6037256e987e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/484919832e2db6ce1e8add92c469e5d459a516b5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/232afc74a6dde0fe1830988e5827921f5ec9bb3f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/15f6faf36e162532bec5cc05eb3fc622108bf2ed (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8518712a2ca952d6da2238c6f0a16b4ae5ea3f13 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6dbead9c7677186f22b7981dd085a0feec1f038e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7470a7a63dc162f07c26dbf960e41ee1e248d80e (opens in a new tab)