Linux Kernel up to 6.18.18/6.19.8/7.0-rc3 netfilter nf_tables.h nf_tables privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.18/6.19.8/7.0-rc3. The affected element is the function nf_tables in the library /include/net/netfilter/nf_tables.h of the component netfilter. Such manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-23278. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.18/6.19.8/7.0-rc3. Affected by this issue is the function nf_tables in the library /include/net/netfilter/nf_tables.h of the component netfilter. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: always walk all pending catchall elements During transaction processing we might have more than one catchall element: 1 live catchall element and 1 pending element that is coming as part of the new batch. If the map holding the catchall elements is also going away, its required to toggle all catchall elements and not just the first viable candidate. Otherwise, we get: WARNING: ./include/net/netfilter/nf_tables.h:1281 at nft_data_release+0xb7/0xe0 [nf_tables], CPU#2: nft/1404 RIP: 0010:nft_data_release+0xb7/0xe0 [nf_tables] [..] __nft_set_elem_destroy+0x106/0x380 [nf_tables] nf_tables_abort_release+0x348/0x8d0 [nf_tables] nf_tables_abort+0xcf2/0x3ac0 [nf_tables] nfnetlink_rcv_batch+0x9c9/0x20e0 [..]

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-23278 since 01/13/2026. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 06/18/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 303173 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23278), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.18.19, 6.19.9 or 7.0-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch de47a88c6b807910f05703fb6605f7efdaa11417/77c26b5056d693ffe5e9f040e946251cdb55ae55/7cb9a23d7ae40a702577d3d8bacb7026f04ac2a9 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 (303173), EUVD (EUVD-2026-13614) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0809). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.5

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

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector (Linux): 🔒

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: 303173
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23278

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.19/6.19.9/7.0-rc4
Patch: de47a88c6b807910f05703fb6605f7efdaa11417/77c26b5056d693ffe5e9f040e946251cdb55ae55/7cb9a23d7ae40a702577d3d8bacb7026f04ac2a9

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
03/20/2026 +66 days Advisory disclosed
03/20/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/18/2026 +90 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23278 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23278
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-352028
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0809 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 03/20/2026 09:48
Updated: 06/18/2026 20:23
Changes: 03/20/2026 09:48 (59), 03/20/2026 10:36 (1), 03/20/2026 19:18 (7), 03/23/2026 18:35 (2), 03/26/2026 13:43 (1), 05/04/2026 08:33 (1), 05/23/2026 03:32 (11), 06/18/2026 20:23 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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