CVE-2026-43374: Linux kernel · net: nexthop: fix percpu use-after-free in remove_nh_grp_entry
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
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 8 May 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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?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.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: nexthop: fix percpu use-after-free in remove_nh_grp_entry When removing a nexthop from a group, remove_nh_grp_entry() publishes the new group via rcu_assign_pointer() then immediately frees the removed entry's percpu stats with free_percpu(). However, the synchronize_net() grace period in the caller remove_nexthop_from_groups() runs after the free. RCU readers that entered before the publish still see the old group and can dereference the freed stats via nh_grp_entry_stats_inc() -> get_cpu_ptr(nhge->stats), causing a use-after-free on percpu memory. Fix by deferring the free_percpu() until after synchronize_net() in the caller. Removed entries are chained via nh_list onto a local deferred free list. After the grace period completes and all RCU readers have finished, the percpu stats are safely freed.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-43374 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43374 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/b2662e7593e94ae09b1cf7ee5f09160a3612bcb2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e08ad731862b22a87cc55f752e16d66cdc9e231 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ab5ebab9664214ba41a7633cb4e72f128204f924 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/abf4feaee6405f1441929c6ebe7a250f2cd170a7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b2662e7593e94ae09b1cf7ee5f09160a3612bcb2 (opens in a new tab)