netfilter: ctnetlink: ensure safe access to master conntrack
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 41 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: ctnetlink: ensure safe access to master conntrack Holding reference on the expectation is not sufficient, the master conntrack object can just go away, making exp->master invalid. To access exp->master safely: - Grab the nf_conntrack_expect_lock, this gets serialized with clean_from_lists() which also holds this lock when the master conntrack goes away. - Hold reference on master conntrack via nf_conntrack_find_get(). Not so easy since the master tuple to look up for the master conntrack is not available in the existing problematic paths. This patch goes for extending the nf_conntrack_expect_lock section to address this issue for simplicity, in the cases that are described below this is just slightly extending the lock section. The add expectation command already holds a reference to the master conntrack from ctnetlink_create_expect(). However, the delete expectation command needs to grab the spinlock before looking up for the expectation. Expand the existing spinlock section to address this to cover the expectation lookup. Note that, the nf_ct_expect_iterate_net() calls already grabs the spinlock while iterating over the expectation table, which is correct. The get expectation command needs to grab the spinlock to ensure master conntrack does not go away. This also expands the existing spinlock section to cover the expectation lookup too. I needed to move the netlink skb allocation out of the spinlock to keep it GFP_KERNEL. For the expectation events, the IPEXP_DESTROY event is already delivered under the spinlock, just move the delivery of IPEXP_NEW under the spinlock too because the master conntrack event cache is reached through exp->master. While at it, add lockdep notations to help identify what codepaths need to grab the spinlock.
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 | 2.6.16 and later | 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.24, 6.19.14, 7.0 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 2.6.16 and later Fixed in 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.24, 6.19.14, 7.0 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 6
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.16 to before 6.18.24; 6.19 to before 6.19.14 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 rc3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 rc4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 rc5 | Vulnerable | Linux |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.16 to before 6.18.24; 6.19 to before 6.19.14 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 rc3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 rc4 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 rc5 Vulnerable ·Linux
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.24, 6.19.14, 7.0
Red Hat 14 advisories
- RHSA-2026:63189 Released 2026-09-03 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7 ELS) kernel-rt-3.10.0-1160.159.1.rt56.1311.el7, kernel-rt-debug-3.10.0-1160.159.1.rt56.1311.el7, kernel-rt-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.159.1.rt56.1311.el7 +4
- RHSA-2026:61692 Released 2026-08-31 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7 ELS) bpftool-3.10.0-1160.159.1.el7, kernel-3.10.0-1160.159.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-1160.159.1.el7 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7 ELS) kernel-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.159.1.el7, kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.159.1.el7
- RHSA-2026:49214 Released 2026-07-31 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) bpftool-4.18.0-553.150.1.el8_10, kernel-4.18.0-553.150.1.el8_10, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-553.150.1.el8_10 +19
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.18.0-553.150.1.el8_10
Show 11 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:49213 Released 2026-07-31 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-553.150.1.rt7.491.el8_10, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-553.150.1.rt7.491.el8_10, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-553.150.1.rt7.491.el8_10 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-553.150.1.rt7.491.el8_10, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-553.150.1.rt7.491.el8_10, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-553.150.1.rt7.491.el8_10 +7
- RHSA-2026:27708 Released 2026-06-22 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, libperf-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kernel-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-570.123.1.el9_6 +11
- RHSA-2026:27735 Released 2026-06-22 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.4) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) bpftool-7.3.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.132.1.el9_4 +11
- RHSA-2026:27731 Released 2026-06-22 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, libperf-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +11
- RHSA-2026:26570 Released 2026-06-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS AUS (v.8.6) bpftool-4.18.0-372.196.1.el8_6, kernel-4.18.0-372.196.1.el8_6, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-372.196.1.el8_6 +14
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS EXTENSION (v.8.6) bpftool-4.18.0-372.196.1.el8_6, kernel-4.18.0-372.196.1.el8_6, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-372.196.1.el8_6 +14
- RHSA-2026:26563 Released 2026-06-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.8.8) bpftool-4.18.0-477.147.1.el8_8, kernel-4.18.0-477.147.1.el8_8, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-477.147.1.el8_8 +14
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS TUS (v.8.8) bpftool-4.18.0-477.147.1.el8_8, kernel-4.18.0-477.147.1.el8_8, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-477.147.1.el8_8 +14
- RHSA-2026:26535 Released 2026-06-17 · Red Hat rating Criticalkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS AUS (v.8.4) bpftool-4.18.0-305.194.1.el8_4, kernel-4.18.0-305.194.1.el8_4, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-305.194.1.el8_4 +14
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS EXTENSION (v.8.4) bpftool-4.18.0-305.194.1.el8_4, kernel-4.18.0-305.194.1.el8_4, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-305.194.1.el8_4 +14
- RHSA-2026:26515 Released 2026-06-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-284.176.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-284.176.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-284.176.1.el9_2 +10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) bpftool-7.0.0-284.176.1.el9_2, kernel-5.14.0-284.176.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-5.14.0-284.176.1.el9_2 +29
- RHSA-2026:26462 Released 2026-06-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.176.1.rt14.461.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.176.1.rt14.461.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.176.1.rt14.461.el9_2 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.176.1.rt14.461.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.176.1.rt14.461.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.176.1.rt14.461.el9_2 +11
- RHSA-2026:25217 Released 2026-06-11 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) kernel-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, libperf-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-687.15.1.el9_8 +9
- RHSA-2026:21557 Released 2026-05-28 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) kernel-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, libperf-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-211.18.1.el10_2 +9
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27708 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:21557 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:25217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26515 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27735 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27708 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:21557 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:49214 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:25217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS AUS (v.8.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26535 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS AUS (v.8.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26570 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.8.8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26563 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26515 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27735 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27708 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS EXTENSION (v.8.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26535 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS EXTENSION (v.8.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26570 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS TUS (v.8.8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26563 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:49214 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:21557 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:25217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:49213 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:49213 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:21557 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:25217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26462 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27735 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27708 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:21557 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:25217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:26462 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27735 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27708 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:61692 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:61692 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:63189 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-43116
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-88rv-c8gv-rfv7
- 2026-10-16 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-19 Weakness changed · CISA ADP
References
Patch 3
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Sources
- CVE-2026-43116 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-43116 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-88rv-c8gv-rfv7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-43116 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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