CVE-2026-53268Network attack vector

Memory disclosure and crashes via DCC parser over-read

Published Jun 25, 2026 · Updated Jun 25, 2026

An out-of-bounds read in Linux Kernel nf_conntrack_irc allows remote attackers to disclose kernel memory or crash systems via IRC DCC traffic. The help() loop advances past a matched DCC command and, after parse_dcc() fails or address validation rejects a forged endpoint, tests later commands from the advanced pointer beyond packet bounds. Reachability requires the IRC conntrack helper to inspect unencrypted traffic; automatic helper assignment is disabled by default unless explicit rules assign it.

CVSS severity8.2
High
EPSS probability0.39%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

An out-of-bounds read in Linux Kernel nf_conntrack_irc allows remote attackers to disclose kernel memory or crash systems via IRC DCC traffic. The help() loop advances past a matched DCC command and, after parse_dcc() fails or address validation rejects a forged endpoint, tests later commands from the advanced pointer beyond packet bounds. Reachability requires the IRC conntrack helper to inspect unencrypted traffic; automatic helper assignment is disabled by default unless explicit rules assign it.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-53268
Published
Jun 25, 2026
Updated
Jun 25, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-125, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

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=2.6.20
  2. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <0afc802160af0df61ed374fdb97fb34cfe5cdf2f
  3. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <4cdda7f868f48e2f81579371584fdbdce37df2c8
  4. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <573810f61bcd6b6815e2ff53bbdd2b9c9d747176
  5. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <66eba0ffce3b7e11449946b4cbbef8ea36112f56
  6. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <7c34f91305292083253df6a9f6c8ede02d4ccaea
  7. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <8a1d6e40dedfe1068aee094d851bd69e289c9fd6
  8. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <9e5da2379f968a3ea5a6e38921ab6201576466dc
  9. Affected versionversion=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <ddddd8271359961e403d11c90c9ba9fc38914f7e

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=2.6.20; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <0afc802160af0df61ed374fdb97fb34cfe5cdf2f; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <4cdda7f868f48e2f81579371584fdbdce37df2c8; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <573810f61bcd6b6815e2ff53bbdd2b9c9d747176; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <66eba0ffce3b7e11449946b4cbbef8ea36112f56; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <7c34f91305292083253df6a9f6c8ede02d4ccaea; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <8a1d6e40dedfe1068aee094d851bd69e289c9fd6; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <9e5da2379f968a3ea5a6e38921ab6201576466dc; version=869f37d8e48f3911eb70f38a994feaa8f8380008 <ddddd8271359961e403d11c90c9ba9fc38914f7e

Published CVSS scores

8.2kernel.orgCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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