CVE-2026-52998

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nfnetlink_osf: fix potential NULL dereference in ttl check The nf_osf_ttl() function accessed skb->dev to perform a local interface address lookup without verifying that the device pointer was valid. Additionally, the implementation utilized an in_dev_for_each_ifa_rcu loop to match the packet source address against local interface addresses. It assumed that packets from the same subnet should not see a decrement on the initial TTL. A packet might appear it is from the same subnet but it actually isn't especially in modern environments with containers and virtual switching. Remove the device dereference and interface loop. Replace the logic with a switch statement that evaluates the TTL according to the ttl_check.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-06-24
Last modified 2026-07-15
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-476

CVE-2026-52998 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 2.6.31 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.258, 5.15.209, 6.1.175, 6.6.141, 6.12.91, 6.18.33, 7.0.10, 7.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.31
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.258 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.209 5.15.x ✓ 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-2026-52998?

    CVE-2026-52998 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.31 onward and has been patched in 5.10.258, 5.15.209, 6.1.175 and others. CVE-2026-52998 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-52998?

    CVE-2026-52998 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-2026-52998?

    Yes. CVE-2026-52998 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.258, 5.15.209, 6.1.175 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.31 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-52998 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-52998 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.