CVE-2026-53175

Critical

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: inet: frags: fix use-after-free caused by the fqdir_pre_exit() flush On netns teardown, fqdir_pre_exit() walks the fqdir rhashtable and flushes every fragment queue that is not yet complete using inet_frag_queue_flush(). That helper frees all the skbs queued on the fragment queue but does not set INET_FRAG_COMPLETE, and leaves q->fragments_tail and q->last_run_head pointing at the freed skbs. The queue itself stays in the rhashtable. fqdir_pre_exit() first lowers high_thresh to 0 to stop new queue lookups, but it cannot stop a fragment that already obtained the queue through inet_frag_find() earlier and stalled just before taking the queue lock. Once that fragment resumes after the flush and takes the queue lock, it passes the INET_FRAG_COMPLETE check and then dereferences the freed fragments_tail. inet_frag_queue_insert() reads FRAG_CB() and ->len of that pointer and, on the append path, writes ->next_frag, causing a slab use-after-free. IPv6, nf_conntrack_reasm6 and 6lowpan reassembly share the same flush path and are affected as well. Reset rb_fragments, fragments_tail and last_run_head in inet_frag_queue_flush() so a flushed queue no longer points at the freed skbs. A fragment that resumes after the flush and takes the queue lock then finds an empty queue and starts a new run instead of dereferencing the freed fragments_tail. ip_frag_reinit() already performed this reset after its own flush, so drop the now duplicate code there.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-06-25
Last modified 2026-07-15
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-416

CVE-2026-53175 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.12.93, 6.18.3, 6.19 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13, 7.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.12.93 ≥ 6.18.3 ≥ 6.19
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.94 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.36 6.18.x ✓ 7.0.13 7.0.x ✓ 7.1

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-53175?

    CVE-2026-53175 is a Critical severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.12.93 onward and has been patched in 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13 and others. CVE-2026-53175 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-53175?

    CVE-2026-53175 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-2026-53175?

    Yes. CVE-2026-53175 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.12.93 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-53175 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-53175 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.