CVE-2026-23409: Linux kernel · apparmor: fix differential encoding verification
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 5.4.0-1156.166~18.04.1 : 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 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:N/I:N/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 to remediate this vulnerability. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this issue has been fixed. Users should update to the patched kernel versions as soon as possible. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AppArmor module related to differential encoding verification has been fixed. The flaw involved improper handling of state marking during verification, allowing loops to be created and potentially causing denial of service via resource exhaustion. The issue was addressed by implementing a double mark scheme to correctly distinguish states currently being checked from those already verified. This vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 5.5. A patch is available to resolve this issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23409 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23409 (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)