CVE-2026-52974

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: tls: fix strparser anchor skb leak on offload RX setup failure When tls_set_device_offload_rx() fails at tls_dev_add(), the error path calls tls_sw_free_resources_rx() to clean up the SW context that was initialized by tls_set_sw_offload(). This function calls tls_sw_release_resources_rx() (which stops the strparser via tls_strp_stop()) and tls_sw_free_ctx_rx() (which kfrees the context), but never frees the anchor skb that was allocated by alloc_skb(0) in tls_strp_init(). Note that tls_sw_free_resources_rx() is exclusively used for this "failed to start offload" code path, there's no other caller. The leak did not exist before commit 84c61fe1a75b ("tls: rx: do not use the standard strparser"), because the standard strparser doesn't try to pre-allocate an skb. The normal close path in tls_sk_proto_close() handles cleanup by calling tls_sw_strparser_done() (which calls tls_strp_done()) after dropping the socket lock, because tls_strp_done() does cancel_work_sync() and the strparser work handler takes the socket lock.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-06-24
Last modified 2026-07-14
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.5

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

Weakness type

CWE-401

CVE-2026-52974 is a Memory Leak vulnerability

What is Memory Leak?

The product does not release memory after use, causing gradual resource exhaustion. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.0 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.175, 6.6.141, 6.12.91, 6.18.33, 7.0.10, 7.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.0
Fixed in
✓ 6.1.175 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.141 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.91 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.33 6.18.x ✓ 7.0.10 7.0.x ✓ 7.1

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-52974?

    CVE-2026-52974 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10 , classified as a Memory Leak flaw (CWE-401) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.0 onward and has been patched in 6.1.175, 6.6.141, 6.12.91 and others. CVE-2026-52974 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-52974?

    CVE-2026-52974 has a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-52974?

    Yes. CVE-2026-52974 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.175, 6.6.141, 6.12.91 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.0 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-52974 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-52974 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.