CVE-2026-52937: Linux kernel · tap: fix stack info leak in tap_ioctl() SIOCGIFHWADDR
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 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 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1, 7.0.0-28.28 +11
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 24 Jun 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.
AI-suggested
A patch addressing this vulnerability is available and included in Linux kernel versions 7.0.0-28.28 and later. Users should update their linux-hwe-edge kernel packages to these fixed versions and reboot their systems to apply the fix. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official update.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's tap_ioctl() function related to the SIOCGIFHWADDR ioctl call was fixed. The flaw caused 8 bytes of uninitialized kernel stack memory to be leaked to userspace, potentially revealing kernel pointers and defeating Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR). This issue affects certain versions of the linux-hwe-edge kernel prior to 7.0.0-28.28 and related versions. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating and a CVSS score of 5.5. A patch is available and included in updated Linux kernel packages. Users should update and reboot to apply the fix.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-52937 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-52937 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/bddc09212c24934643bd44fc794748d2bbb3b6cd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/05305e832be7b9d65b2b72caacf7d850b3942b2a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/719007c3492f0f1f9e9cdbed8ac45ba45bb13eeb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bddc09212c24934643bd44fc794748d2bbb3b6cd (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-8593-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8603-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8618-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8663-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8664-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-3 (opens in a new tab)