Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/sched: act_ct: fix sk_buff leak when the header checks reject a packet
tcf_ct_handle_fragments() runs its header sanity checks before handing
anything to the defragmentation engine:
if (family == NFPROTO_IPV4)
err = tcf_ct_ipv4_is_fragment(skb, &frag);
else
err = tcf_ct_ipv6_is_fragment(skb, &frag);
if (err || !frag)
return err;
tcf_ct_ipv4_is_fragment() returns -EINVAL or -ENOMEM;
tcf_ct_ipv6_is_fragment() adds -EPROTO when ipv6_find_hdr() fails. None of
them frees or queues the skb, so on that path the caller still owns it.
tcf_ct_act() however funnels every non-zero return into the
ownership-transfer exit:
err = tcf_ct_handle_fragments(net, skb, family, p->zone, &defrag);
if (err)
goto out_frag;
...
out_frag:
if (err != -EINPROGRESS)
tcf_action_inc_drop_qstats(&c->common);
return TC_ACT_CONSUMED;
TC_ACT_CONSUMED means the action took ownership of the skb, so no caller
frees it - sch_handle_ingress(), sch_handle_egress() and
tcf_qevent_handle() all deliberately skip the free for that verdict. The
skb is therefore orphaned: one sk_buff plus its data buffer is leaked per
malformed packet, unbounded. Note the drop counter is already incremented
for these errors, so the statistics claim a drop that never happens.
Three different ownership states reach out_frag: today - the skb may be
queued by the defrag engine (-EINPROGRESS), already freed by
nf_ct_handle_fragments(), or still owned by us. Tell the caller which of
those it is, and free the packet ourselves in the last case, which
restores the TC_ACT_SHOT behaviour that predated the Fixes: commit.
Reproduced on v7.2-rc6 with a 54-byte frame carrying a 40-byte IPv6
header with nexthdr = 0 (hop-by-hop) and nothing after it, on a
clsact ingress chain with "action ct". kmemleak reports one leaked
232-byte skbuff_head_cache object plus its 704-byte data buffer per
packet; with this patch it reports none.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5.15.148 – < 5.15.217, 6.1.75 – < 6.1.184, 6.6.14 – < 6.6.152, 6.7.2 – < 6.8, 6.8 | 5.15.217 |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 7.1.9-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 6.12.105-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 6.1.187-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux-6.12 | 6.12.107-1~deb12u1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Nvidia-BlueField 24.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 6.8.0-1036.41 | — |
| Ubuntu Nvidia-BlueField 22.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 5.15.0-1103.105 | — |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux | 7.0.0-42.42 | USN-8959-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-aws | 7.0.0-1016.17 | USN-8959-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-azure | 7.0.0-1020.21 | USN-9019-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde | 7.0.0-1019.19 | USN-9020-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 7.0.0-1016.18 | USN-8959-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-gke | 7.0.0-1010.11 | USN-9020-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-ibm +1 | 7.0.0-1017.17 | USN-8960-1, USN-8959-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-nvidia +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 7.0.0-1015.16 | USN-8959-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 7.0.0-1023.23 | USN-9021-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-realtime | 7.0.0-43.43.1 | USN-9020-1 |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-riscv | 7.0.0-42.42.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux | 6.8.0-149.149 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-aws | 6.8.0-1069.74 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-aws-7.0 | 7.0.0-1017.18~24.04.1 | USN-9020-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-azure | 6.8.0-1073.82 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde | 6.8.0-1071.78 | USN-9039-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde-7.0 | 7.0.0-1019.19~24.04.1 | USN-9020-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 6.8.0-1073.81 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gcp-7.0 | 7.0.0-1017.19~24.04.1 | USN-9020-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gke | 6.8.0-1068.77 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gkeop | 6.8.0-1053.57 | USN-9023-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-hwe-7.0 | 7.0.0-42.42~24.04.1 | USN-8959-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 6.8.0-1069.70 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-lowlatency | 6.8.0-149.149.1 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-nvidia | 6.8.0-1067.70 | USN-9024-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-lowlatency | 6.8.0-1067.70.1 | USN-9040-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra | 6.8.0-1036.39 | USN-8886-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 6.8.0-1067.71 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-oracle-7.0 | 7.0.0-1016.18~24.04.1 | USN-9020-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 6.8.0-1068.72 | USN-9025-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-riscv +31 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-riscv-7.0 | 7.0.0-42.42.1~24.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-vmware | 6.8.0-1010.10 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux | 5.15.0-202.212 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.15.0-1119.126 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-aws-6.8 | 6.8.0-1069.74~22.04.1 | USN-9024-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.15.0-1125.134 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-6.8 | 6.8.0-1073.82~22.04.1 | USN-9026-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde | 5.15.0-1124.133 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde-6.8 | 6.8.0-1071.78~22.04.1 | USN-9026-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 5.15.0-1120.130 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gcp-6.8 | 6.8.0-1073.81~22.04.1 | USN-9024-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gke | 5.15.0-1115.121 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gkeop | 5.15.0-1102.110 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-hwe-6.8 | 6.8.0-149.149~22.04.1 | USN-9066-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.15.0-1113.117 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-ibm-6.8 | 6.8.0-1069.70~22.04.1 | USN-9024-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg | 5.15.0-1114.120 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 5.15.0-1111.116 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-lowlatency | 5.15.0-197.207 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 | 6.8.0-149.149.1~22.04.1 | USN-9024-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-nvidia | 5.15.0-1114.115 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra | 5.15.0-1070.72 | USN-8963-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra-igx | 5.15.0-1059.59 | USN-8963-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 5.15.0-1116.122 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-oracle-6.8 | 6.8.0-1067.71~22.04.1 | USN-9025-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.15.0-1113.116 | USN-9029-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +34 | No fix yet | — |
Show 8 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +28 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +14 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | 6.8.0-2056.58 | USN-9025-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-realtime | 6.8.1-1064.65 | USN-9023-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-realtime-6.14 +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-intel-iot-realtime | 5.15.0-1111.115 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-realtime | 5.15.0-1118.127 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-realtime-6.8 | 6.8.1-1064.65~22.04.1 | USN-9024-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 6.8.0-1069.74+fips1 | USN-9023-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 6.8.0-1073.82+fips1 | USN-9022-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-fips | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-gcp-fips | 6.8.0-1073.81+fips1 | USN-9023-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 5.15.0-1119.126+fips1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 5.15.0-1125.134+fips1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTS | linux-fips | 5.15.0-202.212+fips1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTS | linux-gcp-fips | 5.15.0-1120.130+fips1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-aws-5.15 | 5.15.0-1119.126~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.15 | 5.15.0-1125.134~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde-5.15 | 5.15.0-1124.133~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp-5.15 | 5.15.0-1120.130~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.15 | 5.15.0-202.212~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-ibm-5.15 | 5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg-5.15 | 5.15.0-1114.120~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 | 5.15.0-197.207~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15 | 5.15.0-1070.72~20.04.1 | USN-8963-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-oracle-5.15 | 5.15.0-1116.122~20.04.1 | USN-8961-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-riscv-5.15 | 5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.2 | — |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 3 | kernel | 6.6.152.1-1 | — |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 9 | kernel-uek +34 | 6.12.0-206.104.3.3.el10uek | ELSA-2026-500374, ELSA-2026-500248 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | bpftool +18 | 5.15.0-324.217.5.2.el9uek | ELSA-2026-500377, ELSA-2026-500249 |
Advisories 22
- USN-8961-1 linux, linux-aws, linux-aws-5.15, linux-aws-fips, linux-azure, linux-azure-5.15, linux-azure-fde-5.15, linux-azure-fips, linux-fips, linux-gcp, linux-gcp-5.15, linux-gcp-fips, linux-gke, linux-gkeop, linux-hwe-5.15, linux-ibm, linux-ibm-5.15, linux-intel-iot-realtime, linux-intel-iotg, linux-intel-iotg-5.15, linux-kvm, linux-lowlatency, linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15, linux-nvidia, linux-oracle, linux-oracle-5.15, linux-realtime vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9020-1 linux-aws-7.0, linux-azure-fde, linux-azure-fde-7.0, linux-gcp-7.0, linux-gke, linux-oracle-7.0, linux-realtime vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-8959-1 linux, linux-aws, linux-gcp, linux-hwe-7.0, linux-ibm, linux-oracle vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9022-1 linux, linux-aws, linux-azure, linux-azure-fips, linux-gcp, linux-gke, linux-ibm, linux-lowlatency, linux-oracle, linux-vmware vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-8963-1 linux-nvidia-tegra, linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15, linux-nvidia-tegra-igx vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9025-1 linux-oracle-6.8, linux-raspi, linux-raspi-realtime vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9024-1 linux-aws-6.8, linux-gcp-6.8, linux-ibm-6.8, linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8, linux-nvidia, linux-realtime-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9023-1 linux-aws-fips, linux-gcp-fips, linux-gkeop, linux-realtime vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9026-1 linux-azure-6.8, linux-azure-fde-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9021-1 linux-raspi vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9039-1 linux-azure-fde vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9029-1 linux-raspi vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9040-1 linux-nvidia-lowlatency vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9066-1 linux-hwe-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-9019-1 linux-azure vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- USN-8960-1 linux-oem-7.0 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 13, 2026
- WID-SEC-2026-2970 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Nov 12, 2026
- USN-8886-1 linux-nvidia-tegra vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 12, 2026
- ELSA-2026-500374 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 9) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Oct 7, 2026
- ELSA-2026-500377 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Oct 7, 2026
- ELSA-2026-500248 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 9) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Sep 4, 2026
- ELSA-2026-500249 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Sep 4, 2026
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b5dbecc2016e1692fd1c2532af9c41ba729cb747
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/23e97d594ddd0153020c506d5041048fbde1beb4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/737873a59905a54ca0d2d127ef882f3f88bf4379
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/47d99828591d0fe8be4b9c8992ff3b8e47968db9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b47bb899e04b5407c5a63fe88d4b6676586a6e84
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/439d3e404f9d5e515911cc8132cde198b337c19e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8a7ed561671aa6a911a2de99e59ef670a4d0b1df