CVE-2026-46172: Linux kernel · ipv6: xfrm6: release dst on error in xfrm6_rcv_encap()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 5.15.0-1112.119~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1112.119~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1117.126~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1117.126~20.04.2 +78
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 28 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
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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: ipv6: xfrm6: release dst on error in xfrm6_rcv_encap() xfrm6_rcv_encap() performs an IPv6 route lookup when the skb does not already have a dst attached. ip6_route_input_lookup() returns a referenced dst entry even when the lookup resolves to an error route. If dst->error is set, xfrm6_rcv_encap() drops the skb without attaching the dst to the skb and without releasing the reference returned by the lookup. Repeated packets hitting this path therefore leak dst entries. Release the dst before jumping to the drop path.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-46172 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-46172 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/bc0fcb9823cd0894934cf968b525c575833d7078 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/554c9b090c8ac5b1c5c507f4badf8d5d0c9c6e13 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6a5eec0a2a0e99ec9743cf8f1c4082178811d90a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9d5047782f9bd2829e529df69209bf3232eb561f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bc0fcb9823cd0894934cf968b525c575833d7078 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2efc4956981066df2fef1cc77391b523db6d8e4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8566-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8568-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8569-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8567-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8576-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8593-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8596-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-2 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-46172 (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/870560015ce6e0d8f841c6a8aba33c44be52c727 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a0721bcd72641c32b281f227a94505b31cf54117 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a20b34f6e854fe6f2aa82528fae7a88759919eb4 (opens in a new tab)