CVE-2026-52942: Linux kernel · Out-of-bounds Read
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
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 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +70
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/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 fixing this vulnerability is available and included in Linux kernel versions 5.15.0-1111.115~20.04.1 and later. Users and administrators should update to these fixed kernel versions or later to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are required as the vulnerability is addressed by the official fix.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel netfilter subsystem's nf_log component allowed out-of-bounds reads from kernel memory when dumping MAC headers that were unset. This flaw was due to insufficient validation of the MAC header before access, leading to a potential kernel memory disclosure. The issue affects only packets with an unset MAC header, which can be triggered via specific packet handling paths. The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux kernel versions starting from 5.15.0-1111.115~20.04.1 and later.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-52942 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-52942 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/a84b6fedbc97078788be78dbdd7517d143ad1a77 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/65ef7397eb9a296e91839f5fd10be96f23d332e7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8a81e336da685423f5b64aac4d571e63d674c52a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a84b6fedbc97078788be78dbdd7517d143ad1a77 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/af1b7699466f6556b351fa25d3dc870abfb5d310 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/befb8968a2abdfa948d5600ea7f7a509a292a590 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c38d41134085193efd5b237cf513ad5b3421a60d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d704ee9c7bc68a161684c51a7ac05b446dcf38d4 (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)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-52942 (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2e96e1bc9b4d5450e6c33f078e19a9bc1dda6c0b (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8760-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8800-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8760-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-4 (opens in a new tab)