CVE-2026-53197: Linux kernel · xfrm: iptfs: fix ABBA deadlock in iptfs_destroy_state()
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 2% 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 25 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 fix is available and has been applied in Linux kernel versions 7.0.0-31.31 and later (including variants). Users should upgrade to these fixed versions to resolve the deadlock issue. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A deadlock vulnerability (CVE-2026-53197) in the Linux kernel's xfrm iptfs subsystem was fixed. The issue involved an ABBA deadlock caused by iptfs_destroy_state() calling hrtimer_cancel() while holding spinlocks that the timer callbacks also acquire, leading to circular lock dependencies on SMP systems. The fix reorders calls to hrtimer_cancel() to occur before acquiring locks, preventing the deadlock. This vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been addressed in fixed releases.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-53197 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53197 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/c8a8a75b733467b00c08b91a38dbaf207a08ed6e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/822b98d354e63e8249e85473c5f3c519f3c9cecc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a13ca53e47e500854a3b9ec18b5dc83acfec863e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c8a8a75b733467b00c08b91a38dbaf207a08ed6e (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)