CVE-2026-52988: Linux kernel · netfilter: nf_tables: join hook list via splice_list_rcu() in commit phase
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 0% 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, 6.8.0-1035.38 +13
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
Official fixes for this vulnerability have been released by the Linux kernel maintainers and are included in updated kernel packages. Users should apply the latest Linux kernel security updates from their distribution vendors promptly. No additional mitigations are specified beyond applying these official patches.
Description
A high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter nf_tables subsystem was resolved. The issue involved unsafe joining of hook lists via splice_list_rcu() during commit phases, which could lead to unsafe netlink dump list traversal during concurrent ruleset updates. Multiple Linux kernel versions are affected. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.1, indicating high severity with potential for local privilege escalation and denial of service. The vendor has released official fixes addressing this and other kernel security issues.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-52988 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-52988 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/a6134e62dba2ea4f760b29d5226907f447c92400 (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)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-52988 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/00e370627f2e1fb3585f9d26348b1abddc75442b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1346be9379639c30877083b12747d4eacb83c24f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/28ecfb3d1fe8dea70319de7051cb6718c25b5b52 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5593c640f9daedec8de61555c41e1019fa675aa6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8fdd2204503ab1ce07dc000c277e2c3edf96a67b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a557816c6e38e9473d99aa9ea8c662f55fc85847 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a6134e62dba2ea4f760b29d5226907f447c92400 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed8d3bd8272e49ea987100de2abfb13710329a9b (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (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)