Linux Kernel up to 6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2 mana mana_xdp_set use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.17+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. Affected by this issue is the function mana_xdp_set of the component mana. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-97955. The attack must be carried out locally. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. This issue affects the function mana_xdp_set of the component mana. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: mana: restore the XDP program pointer when pre-allocation fails mana_xdp_set() publishes the new program into apc->bpf_prog before it allocates anything, because mana_pre_alloc_rxbufs() sizes the buffers from it via mana_get_rxbuf_cfg(). When that allocation fails the function returns the error directly, skipping the err_dealloc_rxbuffs label which is the only place that restores the previous pointer. The attach is reported as failed, so the BPF core drops the reference it held for the caller and the program can be freed, while apc->bpf_prog still points at it. The next consumer of mana_xdp_get() - typically mana_chn_setxdp() from mana_alloc_queues() on the following ifup, or after a TX timeout reset - then calls bpf_prog_add() on freed memory. This is reachable from an ordinary "ip link set dev ethX xdp obj ..." whenever the per-queue RX buffer pre-allocation cannot be satisfied. Restore the previous program on that error path.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-97955 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. Additional levels of successful authentication are necessary for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/25/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.53, 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5b3cdc9abd82b7e49e0f1a21d6eb75466c5ecef8/9801edfba8dfcdb1da3b0afccdf143e13d646b56/4c46beb807efcc93f5899ebe1f5958248eb296c6 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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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: 7.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 7.7
VulDB Temp Score: 7.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

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 6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3
Patch: 5b3cdc9abd82b7e49e0f1a21d6eb75466c5ecef8/9801edfba8dfcdb1da3b0afccdf143e13d646b56/4c46beb807efcc93f5899ebe1f5958248eb296c6

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/25/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
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-2026-97955 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97955
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-410213

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 15:44
Changes: 09/25/2026 15:44 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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