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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-53000: Linux kernel · netfilter: nat: use kfree_rcu to release ops

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0
Authoritative record:CVE-2026-53000· High 7.8

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
7.8High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 7% 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 +12
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 24 Jun 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq 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

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-28.28
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-28.28
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1009.9
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1009.9
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1010.10
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1010.10
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1009.9
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1009.9
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1008.8
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1008.8
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1003.4
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1003.4

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 has been released in Linux kernel versions 7.0.0-28.28 and later, as well as other related fixed versions. Users and administrators should update affected Linux kernel versions to these fixed releases to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.

Description

A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter NAT subsystem was resolved by updating the release mechanism for nf_hook_ops structures to use kfree_rcu. This issue arose due to changes introduced in kernel version 5.14 that allowed userspace to dump active netfilter hooks, exposing previously hidden nat hooks. The flaw could lead to use-after-free conditions affecting kernel memory management. Multiple Linux kernel versions prior to 7.0.0-28.28 and specific earlier builds are affected. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a medium severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A patch is available and included in fixed kernel versions starting from 7.0.0-28.28 and related releases. No known exploits in the wild have been reported.

References

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