CVE-2026-23240

Critical

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tls: Fix race condition in tls_sw_cancel_work_tx() This issue was discovered during a code audit. After cancel_delayed_work_sync() is called from tls_sk_proto_close(), tx_work_handler() can still be scheduled from paths such as the Delayed ACK handler or ksoftirqd. As a result, the tx_work_handler() worker may dereference a freed TLS object. The following is a simple race scenario: cpu0 cpu1 tls_sk_proto_close() tls_sw_cancel_work_tx() tls_write_space() tls_sw_write_space() if (!test_and_set_bit(BIT_TX_SCHEDULED, &tx_ctx->tx_bitmask)) set_bit(BIT_TX_SCHEDULED, &ctx->tx_bitmask); cancel_delayed_work_sync(&ctx->tx_work.work); schedule_delayed_work(&tx_ctx->tx_work.work, 0); To prevent this race condition, cancel_delayed_work_sync() is replaced with disable_delayed_work_sync().

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-03-10
Last modified 2026-05-20
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

9.8

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

Weakness type

CWE-362

CVE-2026-23240 is a Race Condition vulnerability

What is Race Condition?

The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.3 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.75, 6.18.16, 6.19.6, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.3
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.75 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.16 6.18.x ✓ 6.19.6 6.19.x ✓ 7.0

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-23240 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-2026-23240?

    CVE-2026-23240 is a Critical severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10 , classified as a Race Condition flaw (CWE-362) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.3 onward and has been patched in 6.12.75, 6.18.16, 6.19.6 and others. CVE-2026-23240 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-23240?

    CVE-2026-23240 has a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10, rated Critical severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-23240?

    Yes — CVE-2026-23240 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.75, 6.18.16, 6.19.6 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.3 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-23240 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-23240 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Race Condition (CWE-362)?

    The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. View CWE-362 on MITRE CWE →