CVE-2026-53218: Linux kernel · netfilter: nft_exthdr: fix register tracking for F_PRESENT flag
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : 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 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +68
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 patch is available and has been released in linux-azure kernel versions 5.15.0-1111.115~20.04.1 and later. Users should upgrade to these fixed versions or later to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter nft_exthdr component was resolved. The issue involved improper register tracking for the F_PRESENT flag, where user-controlled length values could cause uninitialized stack data to be retained. This flaw could lead to potential denial of service due to improper handling of register initialization. The vulnerability affects specific linux-azure kernel versions and has been fixed in later releases.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-53218 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53218 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/772cecf198da732faebb5dcfc46d66a505be8495 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/19748967d59c31d24d21d40b728570788310b237 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/46fc15a044e9938e7ea77786fb37edd2cd74f031 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/67b27434c43b68a97becda98c9f0c8cf6cba2134 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/772cecf198da732faebb5dcfc46d66a505be8495 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/78069a6d8bc86c9e036eb82c2af4a19cc1871a53 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8738b1b6d0e639ca1fc0f61516afd3557ac4ecc6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cd513e43b4b2bd1de39e2367bc4261c699a8652f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f08fb3d42fd3aad0b7a263da3ac3ebaf0845e265 (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)
- 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)