netfilter: nf_tables: fix inverted genmask check in nft_map_catchall_activate()
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 26 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-416 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: fix inverted genmask check in nft_map_catchall_activate() nft_map_catchall_activate() has an inverted element activity check compared to its non-catchall counterpart nft_mapelem_activate() and compared to what is logically required. nft_map_catchall_activate() is called from the abort path to re-activate catchall map elements that were deactivated during a failed transaction. It should skip elements that are already active (they don't need re-activation) and process elements that are inactive (they need to be restored). Instead, the current code does the opposite: it skips inactive elements and processes active ones. Compare the non-catchall activate callback, which is correct: nft_mapelem_activate(): if (nft_set_elem_active(ext, iter->genmask)) return 0; /* skip active, process inactive */ With the buggy catchall version: nft_map_catchall_activate(): if (!nft_set_elem_active(ext, genmask)) continue; /* skip inactive, process active */ The consequence is that when a DELSET operation is aborted, nft_setelem_data_activate() is never called for the catchall element. For NFT_GOTO verdict elements, this means nft_data_hold() is never called to restore the chain->use reference count. Each abort cycle permanently decrements chain->use. Once chain->use reaches zero, DELCHAIN succeeds and frees the chain while catchall verdict elements still reference it, resulting in a use-after-free. This is exploitable for local privilege escalation from an unprivileged user via user namespaces + nftables on distributions that enable CONFIG_USER_NS and CONFIG_NF_TABLES. Fix by removing the negation so the check matches nft_mapelem_activate(): skip active elements, process inactive ones.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5.15.121 to before 5.15.200; 6.1.36 to before 6.1.163; 4.19.316 to before 4.20; 5.4.262 to before 5.5; 5.10.188 to before 5.11; 6.3.10 to before 6.4 | 5.15.200, 6.1.163, 4.20, 5.5, 5.11, 6.4 | Patch available | CNA |
| Linux | Linux | 6.4 and later | 5.15.200, 6.1.163, 6.6.124, 6.12.70, 6.18.10, 6.19 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 5.15.121 to before 5.15.200; 6.1.36 to before 6.1.163; 4.19.316 to before 4.20; 5.4.262 to before 5.5; 5.10.188 to before 5.11; 6.3.10 to before 6.4 Fixed in 5.15.200, 6.1.163, 4.20, 5.5, 5.11, 6.4 Patch available CNA
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 6.4 and later Fixed in 5.15.200, 6.1.163, 6.6.124, 6.12.70, 6.18.10, 6.19 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 10
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.19.316 to before 4.20; 5.4.262 to before 5.5; 5.10.188 to before 5.11; 5.15.121 to before 5.15.200; 6.1.36 to before 6.1.163; 6.3.10 to before 6.4; 6.4.1 to before 6.6.124; 6.7 to before 6.12.70; 6.13 to before 6.18.10 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.4:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc5 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc6 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc7 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc8:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.19 rc8 | Vulnerable | Linux |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.19.316 to before 4.20; 5.4.262 to before 5.5; 5.10.188 to before 5.11; 5.15.121 to before 5.15.200; 6.1.36 to before 6.1.163; 6.3.10 to before 6.4; 6.4.1 to before 6.6.124; 6.7 to before 6.12.70; 6.13 to before 6.18.10 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.4:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.4 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc4 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc5 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc6 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc7 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.19:rc8:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.19 rc8 Vulnerable ·Linux
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.15.200, 6.1.163, 4.20, 5.5, 5.11, 6.4
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.15.200, 6.1.163, 6.6.124, 6.12.70, 6.18.10, 6.19
Red Hat 7 advisories
- RHSA-2026:62641 Released 2026-09-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_116_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_17_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_39_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_66_1, and kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_94_1 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_116_1-1-9.el9_6, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_17_1-1-24.el9_6, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_39_1-1-15.el9_6 +2
- RHSA-2026:62639 Released 2026-09-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_100_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_113_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_126_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_68_2, and kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_84_1 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_100_1-1-14.el9_4, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_113_1-1-12.el9_4, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_126_1-1-9.el9_4 +2
- RHSA-2026:18134 Released 2026-05-19 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) kernel-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, libperf-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-211.7.1.el10_2 +9
Show 4 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:10996 Released 2026-04-27 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, libperf-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-55.70.1.el10_0 +11
- RHSA-2026:10108 Released 2026-04-23 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, libperf-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) bpftool-7.3.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.121.1.el9_4 +11
- RHSA-2026:9112 Released 2026-04-20 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, libperf-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kernel-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-570.108.1.el9_6 +11
- RHSA-2026:6570 Released 2026-04-06 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7 +12
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- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7, libperf-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-611.47.1.el9_7 +9
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10108 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:9112 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:18134 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6570 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10996 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10108 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:9112 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:18134 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6570 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:62639 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10996 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10108 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:62641, RHSA-2026:9112 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:18134 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6570 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10996 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:18134 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6570 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10996 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10108 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:9112 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:18134 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6570 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10996 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:10108 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:9112 |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-23111
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jh9m-9mr6-3ghc
References
Patch 6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c760ba4e36c750379d13569f23f5a6e185333f5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b9b6573421de51829f7ec1cce76d85f5f6fbbd7f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/42c574c1504aa089a0a142e4c13859327570473d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1444ff890b4653add12f734ffeffc173d42862dd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8b68a45f9722f2babe9e7bad00aa74638addf081
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f41c5d151078c5348271ffaf8e7410d96f2d82f8
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Sources
- CVE-2026-23111 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-23111 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-jh9m-9mr6-3ghc · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-23111 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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