CVE-2026-23258: Linux kernel · net: liquidio: Initialize netdev pointer before queue setup
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, 12:55 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
An official patch is available and should be applied by updating the Linux kernel to versions at or beyond 5.15.0-1111.118~20.04.1 or the corresponding fixed releases. After updating, a system reboot is required to complete remediation. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms the availability of fixes and recommends standard system updates. No additional mitigation steps are necessary beyond applying the official kernel updates.
Description
A memory leak vulnerability (CVE-2026-23258) in the Linux kernel's liquidio network driver was resolved by ensuring proper initialization of the netdev pointer before queue setup. The issue occurs when error conditions prevent cleanup from freeing allocated memory, leading to a leak. This vulnerability has a medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.5 and does not impact confidentiality or integrity but affects availability. A patch is available for affected Linux kernel versions prior to specific 5.15.0-xxx releases. Users should update their systems and reboot to apply the fix.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23258 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23258 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/926ede0c85e1e57c97d64d9612455267d597bb2c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1d4590fde856cb94bd9a46e795c29d8288c238fc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/926ede0c85e1e57c97d64d9612455267d597bb2c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a0e57c0b68c9e6f9a8fd7c1167861a5a730eb2f4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/be109646cdaecab262f6276303b1763468c94378 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0ed6c77ec34050971fd0df2a94dfdea66d09331 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c81a8515fb8c8fb5d0dbc21f48337494bf1d60df (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d028147ae06407cb355245db1774793600670169 (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)