CVE-2026-52938
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix NULL pointer dereference in bpf_sk_storage_clone and diag paths bpf_selem_unlink_nofail() sets SDATA(selem)->smap to NULL before removing the selem from the storage hlist. A concurrent RCU reader in bpf_sk_storage_clone() can observe the selem still on the list with smap already NULL, causing a NULL pointer dereference. general protection fault, probably for non-canonical address 0xdffffc000000000a: KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000050-0x0000000000000057] RIP: 0010:bpf_sk_storage_clone+0x1cd/0xaa0 net/core/bpf_sk_storage.c:174 Call Trace: <IRQ> sk_clone+0xfed/0x1980 net/core/sock.c:2591 inet_csk_clone_lock+0x30/0x760 net/ipv4/inet_connection_sock.c:1222 tcp_create_openreq_child+0x35/0x2680 net/ipv4/tcp_minisocks.c:571 tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock+0x123/0xf90 net/ipv4/tcp_ipv4.c:1729 tcp_check_req+0x8e1/0x2580 include/net/tcp.h:855 tcp_v4_rcv+0x1845/0x3b80 net/ipv4/tcp_ipv4.c:2347 Add a NULL check for smap in bpf_sk_storage_clone(). bpf_sk_storage_diag_put_all() has the same issue. Add a NULL check and pass the validated smap directly to diag_get(), which is refactored to take smap as a parameter instead of reading it internally. bpf_sk_storage_diag_put() uses diag->maps[i] which is always valid under its refcount, so diag->maps[i] is passed directly to diag_get().
CVSS 3.1 score
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-476CVE-2026-52938 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability
What is NULL Pointer Dereference?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
7.0
and later are affected. Fixed in
7.0.14,
7.1
and their respective stable series.
References
2 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-52938?
CVE-2026-52938 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 7.0 onward and has been patched in 7.0.14 and 7.1. CVE-2026-52938 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-52938?
CVE-2026-52938 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-2026-52938?
Yes. CVE-2026-52938 has been patched. Fixed versions include 7.0.14 and 7.1. If you are running Linux kernel 7.0 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-52938 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-52938 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.