ZDI-26-576: Linux Kernel XFRM Race Condition Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 7.5.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in the Linux Kernel's XFRM subsystem is a race condition caused by insufficient locking when handling skb objects. An attacker who already has the ability to execute code with high privileges on the system can exploit this flaw to escalate privileges and execute code within the kernel context. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating high severity. Linux has released a patch to fix this issue, as detailed in the kernel mailing list link provided.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with existing high-privileged code execution to escalate privileges further and execute arbitrary code in kernel context, potentially compromising the entire system's security.
Mitigation Recommendations
Linux has issued an official update to correct this vulnerability. Applying the vendor-provided patch is the recommended remediation. No additional mitigation steps are specified in the advisory.
ZDI-26-576: Linux Kernel XFRM Race Condition Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 7.5.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in the Linux Kernel's XFRM subsystem is a race condition caused by insufficient locking when handling skb objects. An attacker who already has the ability to execute code with high privileges on the system can exploit this flaw to escalate privileges and execute code within the kernel context. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating high severity. Linux has released a patch to fix this issue, as detailed in the kernel mailing list link provided.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with existing high-privileged code execution to escalate privileges further and execute arbitrary code in kernel context, potentially compromising the entire system's security.
Mitigation Recommendations
Linux has issued an official update to correct this vulnerability. Applying the vendor-provided patch is the recommended remediation. No additional mitigation steps are specified in the advisory.
Technical Details
- Classification
- {"confidence":0.95,"severitySource":"cvss-text","classifier":"rss-v2"}
- Article Source
- {"url":"http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-576/","fetched":true,"fetchedAt":"2026-08-13T20:40:07.302Z","wordCount":198}
Threat ID: 6a7e2cf8bf8831d539c73bbe
Added to database: 08/13/2026, 20:45:44 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 20:47:12 UTC
Last updated: 09/26/2026, 23:58:47 UTC
Views: 50
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