CVE-2026-97940: Linux kernel · ipv6: fix fib6 walker UAF on seq stop
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in b89b691dd00bf39b9ba39ab9446f8c62f419fa7b : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 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.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in b89b691dd00bf39b9ba39ab9446f8c62f419fa7b, 63407cddabc5992b5ac03af165559f4a1968a032, 4553cfafa8d05c4ce20b1d18f79d9bb3b303fc02 +5
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 25 Sep 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
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AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in specific Linux kernel commits identified by their hashes. Users and administrators should update their Linux kernel to a version including these fixes to remediate the vulnerability. Since this is a kernel-level issue, applying the official patches or upgrading to a fixed kernel release is the recommended mitigation.
Description
CVE-2026-97940 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the IPv6 routing code of the Linux kernel. It arises from improper handling of fib6 walker objects during route deletion, leading to potential use of freed memory. This flaw affects the IPv6 route iterator used by /proc/net/ipv6_route and BPF IPv6 route iterators. The vulnerability has been fixed in specific Linux kernel commits.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a3f73d62c86271614eda4c43315230896a37018 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/63407cddabc5992b5ac03af165559f4a1968a032 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/05b687ee04f816658f4a9cf586f4d2f129157943 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/14fdaba201fdff92a3e45994e02bccda409cb19d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0eede1689610e9eeaf729ba86fd1321799eb91a0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b89b691dd00bf39b9ba39ab9446f8c62f419fa7b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4553cfafa8d05c4ce20b1d18f79d9bb3b303fc02 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/19b4ed644d68098cc62ab612727f40d30f43476c (opens in a new tab)