CVE-2026-23173: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: TC, delete flows only for existing peers
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-1057.60~22.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% 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, 6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1 +27
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1018.18?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
A patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms the issue is fixed in updated kernel packages. Users should upgrade to the fixed kernel versions to mitigate this vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are indicated or required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e driver was fixed to prevent deletion of TC steering flows for non-existent device peers. The flaw caused a kernel NULL pointer dereference leading to a kernel crash (BUG). This issue affects specific Linux kernel versions and was addressed by ensuring cleanup operations only target currently connected devices. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with an impact on system availability due to kernel crashes.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23173 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23173 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/f67666938ae626cbda63fbf5176b3583c07e7124 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2652e2f1253c53f9a3ce84cc972568b32c892734 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/62e1d8920f6920543f4b095a65fb964448c9901d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f67666938ae626cbda63fbf5176b3583c07e7124 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fdf8437016f578f18b160c6e14f13ab96bfbc3ba (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8594-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8604-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8605-1 (opens in a new tab)