CVE-2026-23139: Linux kernel · netfilter: nf_conncount: update last_gc only when GC has been performed
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 6.8.0-1057.60~22.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 32% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1057.60~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1059.65~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1 +37
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 14 Feb 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 |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle?arch=source&distro=questingOther 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
An official patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this and other kernel vulnerabilities have been fixed. Users should update their Linux kernel to the patched versions to mitigate this issue.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel netfilter nf_conncount subsystem caused the last_gc timestamp to update every time a new connection was tracked, even if garbage collection (GC) was not performed. This flaw could allow the connection list to grow indefinitely under high packet rates. The issue has been fixed by updating last_gc only when GC is actually performed. Multiple Linux kernel versions are affected, and a patch is available.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23139 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23139 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/7811ba452402d58628e68faedf38745b3d485e3c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/26a82dce2beee39c43c109d9647e16f49cb02a35 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2c7c71113ed6d3e2f3aca4c088f22283016ff34f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3cd717359e56f82f06cbf8279b47a7d79880c6f3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7811ba452402d58628e68faedf38745b3d485e3c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8bdafdf4900040a81422056cabe5e00a37bd101a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f45588993d7f115280fc726119ca86fba32a811 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c4cde57c8affdcca5bcff53a1047e15d268bdca1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8278-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8289-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8296-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8296-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8289-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8278-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8393-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8440-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8499-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8570-1 (opens in a new tab)