CVE-2026-53233

Kernel memory corruption via netlink reply double-free

Published Jun 25, 2026 · Updated Jun 25, 2026

Double-free in the netdev subsystem in affected Linux Kernel releases allows local users to corrupt kernel memory via a generic-netlink request. The netdev_nl_bind_rx_doit() error path calls nlmsg_free() after genlmsg_reply() has already consumed the same socket buffer, freeing it twice. Local low-privileged access and an already-full receive buffer are required; successful exploitation can compromise the kernel or crash the host.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Double-free in the netdev subsystem in affected Linux Kernel releases allows local users to corrupt kernel memory via a generic-netlink request. The netdev_nl_bind_rx_doit() error path calls nlmsg_free() after genlmsg_reply() has already consumed the same socket buffer, freeing it twice. Local low-privileged access and an already-full receive buffer are required; successful exploitation can compromise the kernel or crash the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-53233
Published
Jun 25, 2026
Updated
Jun 25, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-415, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 25, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 25, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <9b019376cbee10c4f9184d1745fa37d156e36f30
  2. Affected versionversion=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <c299321bc6232770ce378d6fa6bc46004d2d7fdb
  3. Affected versionversion=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <c849de7d8757a7af801fc4a4058f71d481d367f2
  4. Affected versionversion=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <e055ca9205d3eb6aec3e5fe4ecc18abbbf18c599
  5. Affected versionversion=6.12

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <9b019376cbee10c4f9184d1745fa37d156e36f30; version=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <c299321bc6232770ce378d6fa6bc46004d2d7fdb; version=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <c849de7d8757a7af801fc4a4058f71d481d367f2; version=170aafe35cb98e0f3fbacb446ea86389fbce22ea <e055ca9205d3eb6aec3e5fe4ecc18abbbf18c599; version=6.12

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-415Double Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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