Linux Kernel up to 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.65/6.18.5 test_run xdp_update_frame_from_buff privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.65/6.18.5. It has been declared as critical. This affects the function xdp_update_frame_from_buff of the component test_run. The manipulation results in an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2026-23140. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.65/6.18.5. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function xdp_update_frame_from_buff of the component test_run. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf, test_run: Subtract size of xdp_frame from allowed metadata size The xdp_frame structure takes up part of the XDP frame headroom, limiting the size of the metadata. However, in bpf_test_run, we don't take this into account, which makes it possible for userspace to supply a metadata size that is too large (taking up the entire headroom). If userspace supplies such a large metadata size in live packet mode, the xdp_update_frame_from_buff() call in xdp_test_run_init_page() call will fail, after which packet transmission proceeds with an uninitialised frame structure, leading to the usual Bad Stuff. The commit in the Fixes tag fixed a related bug where the second check in xdp_update_frame_from_buff() could fail, but did not add any additional constraints on the metadata size. Complete the fix by adding an additional check on the metadata size. Reorder the checks slightly to make the logic clearer and add a comment.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-23140 since 01/13/2026. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 03/18/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 299170 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23140), 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 or 6.18.6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e7440935063949d6f2c10f7328d960d0ff4bce90/7c81ad5e580bd8441f8a521a8d34824ce6582ae5/6447e697cfa8a43a8e491cb81bcc390d0f28f8ba/31e37f44b60679d90b9f999c91371b15291be8e0/e558cca217790286e799a8baacd1610bda31b261 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 vulnerability database at Tenable (299170). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
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: 299170
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23140

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
Patch: e7440935063949d6f2c10f7328d960d0ff4bce90/7c81ad5e580bd8441f8a521a8d34824ce6582ae5/6447e697cfa8a43a8e491cb81bcc390d0f28f8ba/31e37f44b60679d90b9f999c91371b15291be8e0/e558cca217790286e799a8baacd1610bda31b261

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
02/14/2026 +32 days Advisory disclosed
02/14/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/18/2026 +32 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23140 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23140
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-346002

Entryinfo

Created: 02/14/2026 17:45
Updated: 03/18/2026 02:15
Changes: 02/14/2026 17:45 (58), 02/16/2026 23:13 (2), 02/19/2026 10:00 (1), 03/18/2026 02:15 (10)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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