CVE-2026-52938: Linux kernel · bpf: Fix NULL pointer dereference in bpf_sk_storage_clone and diag paths
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 7.0.0-31.31~24.04.1 : 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 3% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-31.31~24.04.1, 7.0.0-31.31, 7.0.0-1012.12 +7
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 is available and included in Linux kernel versions 7.0.0-31.31 and later variants as listed. Users and administrators should upgrade to these fixed kernel versions to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official kernel updates.
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF subsystem was fixed. The flaw occurs in bpf_sk_storage_clone and related diagnostic paths where a concurrent read can observe a NULL pointer, causing a kernel crash. The issue was addressed by adding NULL checks and refactoring code to prevent dereferencing NULL pointers. Multiple Linux kernel versions are affected, and fixes are available in later kernel releases. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with no known exploits in the wild.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-52938 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-52938 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/375e4e33c18dfa05c5dfd5f3dfffeb29343dd4c7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/375e4e33c18dfa05c5dfd5f3dfffeb29343dd4c7 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8727-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-1 (opens in a new tab)