Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2 act_api net/sched/act_api.c tcf_action_destroy denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.7$0-$5k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as problematic has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. This impacts the function tcf_action_destroy of the file net/sched/act_api.c of the component act_api. The manipulation results in denial of service. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-97616. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is the function tcf_action_destroy of the file net/sched/act_api.c of the component act_api. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a denial of service vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/sched: act_api: release all action references on NEWACTION failure When a batched RTM_NEWACTION request replaces an existing action, tcf_idr_check_alloc() takes a temporary reference on it. If a later action fails to initialize, tcf_action_destroy() uses strict release semantics to clean up the actions initialized so far. For an action bound to a filter, the strict check returns -EPERM without dropping the temporary reference. This error also makes tcf_action_destroy() return before releasing subsequent entries. Any new action initialized between the bound action and the failing entry is leaked together with its reserved IDR slot, preventing reuse of its index. Use tcf_idr_release() to drop each reference held by the batch without rejecting bound actions. This allows cleanup to continue through all initialized entries and preserves the module reference release when an action is destroyed. Explicit action deletion and flushing retain their separate bind-count checks.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-97616 since 09/24/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation requires an enhanced level of successful authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1499.

Upgrading to version 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f908c8a969946a45225fd7f9d9a85771e12ae0a8/64b36eaef6ea5ada9aea4c2cf87099aaa8a4869b/048617743febf6530111cfb594e9bbbd7918bf67/478eb5abb51931a152abab068f8a717b7ff480fd is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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: 4.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.7

VulDB Base Score: 4.9
VulDB Temp Score: 4.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Denial of service
CWE: CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3
Patch: f908c8a969946a45225fd7f9d9a85771e12ae0a8/64b36eaef6ea5ada9aea4c2cf87099aaa8a4869b/048617743febf6530111cfb594e9bbbd7918bf67/478eb5abb51931a152abab068f8a717b7ff480fd

Timelineinfo

09/24/2026 CVE reserved
09/25/2026 +1 days Advisory disclosed
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-97616 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97616
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-410100

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 14:38
Changes: 09/25/2026 14:38 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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