CVE-2026-53361Public exploit

Local root escalation via AF_UNIX garbage-collection race

Published Jul 4, 2026 · Updated Jul 4, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel AF_UNIX garbage collection allows local users to gain root through concurrent socket operations. unix_gc() can run while gc_in_progress is false, so MSG_PEEK retains an uncounted socket reference as garbage collection frees its receive queue and leaves a dangling sk_buff. The public exploit requires local code execution and targets selected 6.12- and 6.17-based distributions, including container escape to host root.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.19%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel AF_UNIX garbage collection allows local users to gain root through concurrent socket operations. unix_gc() can run while gc_in_progress is false, so MSG_PEEK retains an uncounted socket reference as garbage collection frees its receive queue and leaves a dangling sk_buff. The public exploit requires local code execution and targets selected 6.12- and 6.17-based distributions, including container escape to host root.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-53361
Published
Jul 4, 2026
Updated
Jul 4, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 4, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jul 4, 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=328840c93bd6a4871dd10908d01b41eab83eb8e2 <82c17e13d404f686e164590483fd6c1abaa675d0
  2. Affected versionversion=6.1.141 <6.2
  3. Affected versionversion=6.6.93 <6.6.144
  4. Affected versionversion=6.9
  5. Affected versionversion=8b90a9f819dc2a06baae4ec1a64d875e53b824ec <0cfa78c050662784fc8e3ab26dbfd1dc632b2082
  6. Affected versionversion=8b90a9f819dc2a06baae4ec1a64d875e53b824ec <591f1ac217428a6d2b32a8ac14aac0fab44f155a
  7. Affected versionversion=8b90a9f819dc2a06baae4ec1a64d875e53b824ec <d82ba05263c69fa2437fe93e4e561cc40f4c03af
  8. Affected versionversion=ceb8bd6c69c1680fd9b45e7f16d7170c9c7513a5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=328840c93bd6a4871dd10908d01b41eab83eb8e2 <82c17e13d404f686e164590483fd6c1abaa675d0; version=6.1.141 <6.2; version=6.6.93 <6.6.144; version=6.9; version=8b90a9f819dc2a06baae4ec1a64d875e53b824ec <0cfa78c050662784fc8e3ab26dbfd1dc632b2082; version=8b90a9f819dc2a06baae4ec1a64d875e53b824ec <591f1ac217428a6d2b32a8ac14aac0fab44f155a; version=8b90a9f819dc2a06baae4ec1a64d875e53b824ec <d82ba05263c69fa2437fe93e4e561cc40f4c03af; version=ceb8bd6c69c1680fd9b45e7f16d7170c9c7513a5

Published CVSS scores

7.1Linux kernel CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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