Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc5 bpf_prog_test_run_xdp reference count

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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.65/6.18.5/6.19-rc5. Affected by this vulnerability is the function bpf_prog_test_run_xdp. This manipulation causes reference count. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-22994. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.65/6.18.5/6.19-rc5. Affected by this vulnerability is the function bpf_prog_test_run_xdp. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix reference count leak in bpf_prog_test_run_xdp() syzbot is reporting unregister_netdevice: waiting for sit0 to become free. Usage count = 2 problem. A debug printk() patch found that a refcount is obtained at xdp_convert_md_to_buff() from bpf_prog_test_run_xdp(). According to commit ec94670fcb3b ("bpf: Support specifying ingress via xdp_md context in BPF_PROG_TEST_RUN"), the refcount obtained by xdp_convert_md_to_buff() will be released by xdp_convert_buff_to_md(). Therefore, we can consider that the error handling path introduced by commit 1c1949982524 ("bpf: introduce frags support to bpf_prog_test_run_xdp()") forgot to call xdp_convert_buff_to_md().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-22994 since 01/13/2026. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 296411 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-22994), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.161, 6.6.121, 6.12.66, 6.18.6 or 6.19-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 368569bc546d3368ee9980ba79fc42fdff9a3365/98676ee71fd4eafeb8be63c7f3f1905d40e03101/fb9ef40cccdbacce36029b305d0ef1e12e4fea38/737be05a765761d7d7c9f7fe92274bd8e6f6951e/ec69daabe45256f98ac86c651b8ad1b2574489a7 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (296411) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0215). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Reference count
CWE: CWE-911 / CWE-664
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 296411
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-22994

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.161/6.6.121/6.12.66/6.18.6/6.19-rc6
Patch: 368569bc546d3368ee9980ba79fc42fdff9a3365/98676ee71fd4eafeb8be63c7f3f1905d40e03101/fb9ef40cccdbacce36029b305d0ef1e12e4fea38/737be05a765761d7d7c9f7fe92274bd8e6f6951e/ec69daabe45256f98ac86c651b8ad1b2574489a7

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
01/23/2026 +10 days Advisory disclosed
01/23/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
07/16/2026 +174 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-22994 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-22994
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-342595
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0215 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 01/23/2026 17:30
Updated: 07/16/2026 06:30
Changes: 01/23/2026 17:30 (58), 01/24/2026 11:38 (2), 02/26/2026 18:55 (10), 03/27/2026 17:08 (7), 07/16/2026 06:30 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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