CVE-2026-23256: Linux kernel · net: liquidio: Fix off-by-one error in VF setup_nic_devices() cleanup
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 5.15.0-1111.118~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 1% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1111.118~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1116.125~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1111.121~20.04.1 +58
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 18 Mar 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 from the vendor. Users should update their linux-azure kernel to versions 5.15.0-1111.118~20.04.1 or later, 5.15.0-1116.125~20.04.1 or later, 5.15.0-1111.121~20.04.1 or later, or 5.15.0-185.195~20.04.1 or later to resolve this issue. After applying the update, a system reboot is required to complete remediation. Follow the vendor's official update instructions to ensure all kernel modules are properly recompiled and reinstalled.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's liquidio network driver caused an off-by-one error in the cleanup loop of the VF setup_nic_devices() function, leading to a memory leak. This issue was identified and fixed by correcting the loop to properly iterate over all relevant indices during cleanup. The vulnerability affects certain versions of the linux-azure kernel prior to specific patched releases. The flaw has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 5.5 and does not impact confidentiality or integrity but can cause availability issues. A patch is available and should be applied to affected systems to resolve the issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23256 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23256 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/6cbba46934aefdfb5d171e0a95aec06c24f7ca30 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/01fbca1e93ec3f39f76c31a8f9afa32ce00da48a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3bf519e39b51cb08a93c0599870b35a23db1031e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4640fa5ad5e1a0dbd1c2d22323b7d70a8107dcfd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/52b19b3a22306fe452ec9e8ff96063f4bfb77b99 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6cbba46934aefdfb5d171e0a95aec06c24f7ca30 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/71a56b89203ec7e5670d94a61a9b4ae617eca804 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bd680e56e316be92c01568be98d85d7a6c9bd92c (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-8493-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8499-1 (opens in a new tab)