CVE-2026-23140

Medium

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.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-02-14
Last modified 2026-03-17
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.18 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.161, 6.6.121, 6.12.66, 6.18.6, 6.19 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.18
Fixed in
✓ 6.1.161 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.121 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.66 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.6 6.18.x ✓ 6.19

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-23140 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-23140?

    CVE-2026-23140 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.18 onward and has been patched in 6.1.161, 6.6.121, 6.12.66 and others. CVE-2026-23140 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-23140?

    CVE-2026-23140 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-23140?

    Yes — CVE-2026-23140 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.161, 6.6.121, 6.12.66 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.18 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-23140 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-23140 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.