CVE-2026-53221: Linux kernel · ip6_vti: fix incorrect tunnel matching in vti6_tnl_lookup()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 4.4.0-1159.165 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 47% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 4.4.0-1159.165, 4.15.0-1207.222~14.04.1, 4.4.0-288.322~14.04.1 +118
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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 released in updated Linux kernel versions including 4.4.0-1159.165, 4.15.0-1207.222~14.04.1, and others as listed in the advisory. Users should update their systems to these fixed kernel versions and reboot to apply the changes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary. Follow the vendor's update instructions and use standard system update procedures to obtain the patches.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's IPv6 virtual tunnel interface (vti6) was fixed. The issue involved incorrect tunnel matching in the vti6_tnl_lookup() function, where fallback searches for wildcard tunnels did not properly verify that candidate tunnels had wildcard addresses, potentially causing incorrect tunnel matches. This flaw was resolved in updated Linux kernel versions. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating critical severity. Multiple Linux kernel versions for AWS and other platforms are affected and have been patched. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions and reboot to apply the patches.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-53221 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53221 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/a5c0359f5cbc51a2e2b114d6041e0f3c73f903e9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2abfb19bbb81958714ad1d43ebeb65b30394184b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fc7bc087cc7085368263d9d37bfe9a0bddd6a2d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/47fb3c2b4203556308e64354b3e78f2ce221d646 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/90fd4513315ca07da99cfd8549d3e553a7160f0d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a5c0359f5cbc51a2e2b114d6041e0f3c73f903e9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c327fa4fca31415431202e063767a7ae342e19c6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f513f308cc4bdb4530d033431592ffbc29b7fca1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fc657ac0767c49839b3ef0b08dc0953ca30883f8 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8629-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8637-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8629-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8629-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8660-1 (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (opens in a new tab)