CVE-2026-52972: Linux kernel · Integer Overflow
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.0 High · fixed in f8a5203596797f394ff3f9aa4005597a92249802 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 6 Nov 2026, 17:55 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| ADP (redhat-SADP) | CVSS 3.1 | 7.0 |
|---|
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation and no public proof of concept
- Automatable
- Attackers cannot reliably automate steps 1–4 of the kill chain
- Technical impact
- Limited control over the software or limited information exposure
CISA SSVC assessment, 2026-11-06.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in f8a5203596797f394ff3f9aa4005597a92249802, e4c06479d7059888adf2f22bc1ebcf053bf691a2, e4c4a5074532eaaa14951994a3aad0d479aa7431 +6
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 24 Jun 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 6 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in multiple Linux kernel commits. Users should update their Linux kernel to a fixed version containing these commits. As an immediate mitigation, the affected kernel modules (af_alg and algif_aead) can be blacklisted by creating a modprobe configuration file with the lines: 'install af_alg /bin/true' and 'install algif_aead /bin/true'. This prevents loading the vulnerable modules but disables kernel cryptographic services accessed via AF_ALG sockets. A system restart is required if the modules are already loaded. Users should weigh the impact on applications before applying this mitigation.
Description
CVE-2026-52972 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's af_alg cryptography module involving an integer overflow when processing associated data lengths during transmit buffer size checks. This flaw can lead to denial of service (DoS) due to system instability if exploited by a local attacker providing crafted data lengths. The vulnerability has been fixed in several Linux kernel commits. Mitigation includes blacklisting the affected kernel modules, which disables kernel cryptographic services via AF_ALG sockets and requires a system restart if modules are loaded.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f8a5203596797f394ff3f9aa4005597a92249802 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a9f68d9ed38dd6e5a6c6d75b03d25c1c133e321d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a4fe4eb580bbc7439f649a496d4cf38415a4021c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e4c4a5074532eaaa14951994a3aad0d479aa7431 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/265ac26d1c5e17b34d497cbda1f754a1ec8552bc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a1c5672faf8e93e38c2deac3979cc767ca5cf918 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/97948906dc8e0ea84775e03e35b60a2063c70193 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b3a57d218618cb1cc78ddc9ba02c07de84b46f4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e4c06479d7059888adf2f22bc1ebcf053bf691a2 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-52972 (opens in a new tab)
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2492364 (opens in a new tab)
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-52972.json (opens in a new tab)