VDB-344336 · CVE-2026-23081 · Nessus 297944

Linux Kernel up to 6.18.7/6.19-rc6 net of_put_node reference count

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5.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.7/6.19-rc6. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function of_put_node of the component net. Such manipulation leads to reference count. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-23081. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.7/6.19-rc6 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function of_put_node of the component net. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: phy: intel-xway: fix OF node refcount leakage Automated review spotted am OF node reference count leakage when checking if the 'leds' child node exists. Call of_put_node() to correctly maintain the refcount.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-23081 since 01/13/2026. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 297944 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23081), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.18.8 or 6.19-rc7 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 1f24dfd556401b75f78e8d9cbd94dd9f31411c3a/79912b256e14054e6ba177d7e7e631485ce23dbe 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 (297944) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0324). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

Debian Linux
Google Cloud Platform
Amazon Linux 2
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Ubuntu Linux
SUSE Linux
Oracle Linux
IBM QRadar SIEM
SUSE openSUSE
RESF Rocky Linux
Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

Operating System

Vendor

Linux

Name

Kernel

Version

License

open-source

Website

Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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

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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: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
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Nessus ID: 297944
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23081

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.8/6.19-rc7
Patch: 1f24dfd556401b75f78e8d9cbd94dd9f31411c3a/79912b256e14054e6ba177d7e7e631485ce23dbe

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
02/04/2026 +22 days Advisory disclosed
02/04/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/03/2026 +88 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23081 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23081
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-344336
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0324 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/04/2026 18:24
Updated: 05/03/2026 08:24
Changes: 02/04/2026 18:24 (59), 02/05/2026 08:10 (2), 02/06/2026 10:16 (7), 03/18/2026 14:59 (11), 05/03/2026 08:24 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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