What is CVE-2026-53248?

CVE-2026-53248 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, classified as a Use After Free flaw (CWE-416), affecting Linux kernel versions from 6.15 onward and patched in 6.18.36, 7.0.13 and 7.1. CVE-2026-53248 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-53248?

CVE-2026-53248 has a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, rated High severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-53248?

Yes, CVE-2026-53248 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.36, 7.0.13 and 7.1. If you are running Linux kernel 6.15 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

Is CVE-2026-53248 actively exploited?

CVE-2026-53248 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/416.html

CVE-2026-53248

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: airoha: Fix use-after-free in metadata dst teardown airoha_metadata_dst_free() runs metadata_dst_free() which frees the metadata_dst with kfree() immediately, bypassing the RCU grace period. In the RX path, skb_dst_set_noref() sets a non-refcounted pointer from the skb to the metadata_dst. This function requires RCU read-side protection and the dst must remain valid until all RCU readers complete. Since metadata_dst_free() calls kfree() directly, an use-after-free can occur if any skb still holds a noref pointer to the dst when the driver tears it down. Replace metadata_dst_free() with dst_release() which properly goes through the refcount path: when the refcount drops to zero, it schedules the actual free via call_rcu_hurry(), ensuring all RCU readers have completed before the memory is freed.

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2026-06-25

Last modified 2026-07-07

CVSS version 3.1

Patch available

Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

8.8

out of 10

High

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Vector string

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2026-53248 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 6.15 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.36, 7.0.13, 7.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from

≥ 6.15

Fixed in

✓ 6.18.36 6.18.x ✓ 7.0.13 7.0.x ✓ 7.1

References

3 total

Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b5a574e033e66d2131eff1c18feef8d8643c67e

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f829e2c17a53a35321268339cd252aff6d6d723

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b38cae85d1c45ff189d7ecb6ac36f41cdc3d84d0

Patch

Details

CVE ID CVE-2026-53248

Severity High

CVSS score 8.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2026-06-25

Modified 2026-07-07

KEV No

Patch

Yes

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-53248?

CVE-2026-53248 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.15 onward and has been patched in 6.18.36, 7.0.13 and 7.1. CVE-2026-53248 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-53248?

CVE-2026-53248 has a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-53248?

Yes. CVE-2026-53248 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.36, 7.0.13 and 7.1. If you are running Linux kernel 6.15 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
Is CVE-2026-53248 actively exploited?

No. CVE-2026-53248 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.