CVE-2026-23406: Linux kernel · apparmor: fix side-effect bug in match_char() macro usage
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.4.0-1156.166~18.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 7% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.4.0-1156.166~18.04.1, 5.4.0-1161.167~18.04.1, 5.4.0-1159.168~18.04.1 +92
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 1 Apr 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@6.17.0-19.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1010.10?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@6.17.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1009.9?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 that this issue has been fixed. Systems running the affected versions should be updated promptly to incorporate the official fix.
Description
A side-effect bug in the Linux kernel's AppArmor security module was fixed. The match_char() macro used in AppArmor's DFA matching evaluated its character parameter multiple times, causing the string pointer to advance incorrectly and leading to out-of-bounds reads. This flaw could result in memory corruption and potentially allow local attackers to escalate privileges or cause denial of service. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been addressed in a security update.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23406 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23406 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/blog/apparmor-vulnerability-fixes-available (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/vulnerabilities/crackarmor (opens in a new tab)
- cdn2.qualys.com/advisory/2026/03/10/crack-armor.txt (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/01/3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8152-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8163-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8164-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8165-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8163-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8098-10 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8201-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8224-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8243-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8261-1 (opens in a new tab)