CVE-2026-74544: Linux kernel · net/sched: cls_u32: validate offshift to prevent shift-out-of-bounds
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in aef96eead2860cbfa371e4471d4f04412213b958 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 21:34 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation and no public proof of concept
- Automatable
- Attackers cannot reliably automate steps 1–4 of the kill chain
- Technical impact
- Total control over the software or total information disclosure
CISA SSVC assessment, 2026-10-16.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in aef96eead2860cbfa371e4471d4f04412213b958, 9990cac513e8b191de2ee589051ea7ebf3cee940, 724c8edbacf1259988829cb9967f751222121d8a +2
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Aug 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 |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in several Linux kernel commits. Systems running affected versions should update to a fixed kernel version that includes the patch rejecting offshift values >= 16 during filter creation. No additional mitigation is required once the patch is applied.
Description
CVE-2026-74544 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's net/sched cls_u32 module. It involves improper validation of the offshift value used in packet classification filters, allowing an unprivileged user to trigger undefined behavior via a shift operation with an out-of-bounds exponent. This can lead to kernel instability or potential escalation of privileges. The issue is fixed by rejecting offshift values greater than or equal to 16 during filter creation.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/724c8edbacf1259988829cb9967f751222121d8a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/006a4598da9a6b02e0ddc3ca5042b97224774364 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9990cac513e8b191de2ee589051ea7ebf3cee940 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/313cb9ffc4101a885d791facf4b5ea3d5e06144d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/aef96eead2860cbfa371e4471d4f04412213b958 (opens in a new tab)