Linux: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-52967 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists versions 1cfa2d59f669db28d6292d10ff87ca6837c781b0, b41598bf54b3fe528994e573df6008f8f4d0a4f4, cd4b9b662f0fb9aa97ee6bf9034eca76fc6cab23 as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to 1cfa2d59f669db28d6292d10ff87ca6837c781b0 or b41598bf54b3fe528994e573df6008f8f4d0a4f4 or cd4b9b662f0fb9aa97ee6bf9034eca76fc6cab23 or 97a05b0ae9ea5ec052be2eef0f9cc7ce03501bbb, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 6.1.175 or 6.6.141 or 6.12.91 or 6.18.33, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 76894f3e2f71177747b8b4763fb180e800279585 up to, but not including, 1cfa2d59f669db28d6292d10ff87ca6837c781b0; 76894f3e2f71177747b8b4763fb180e800279585 up to, but not including, b41598bf54b3fe528994e573df6008f8f4d0a4f4; 76894f3e2f71177747b8b4763fb180e800279585 up to, but not including, cd4b9b662f0fb9aa97ee6bf9034eca76fc6cab23; 76894f3e2f71177747b8b4763fb180e800279585 up to, but not including, 97a05b0ae9ea5ec052be2eef0f9cc7ce03501bbb; 76894f3e2f71177747b8b4763fb180e800279585 up to, but not including, 1b9331b16b0ed9414dcf7583d8134bdfeb117aae; 76894f3e2f71177747b8b4763fb180e800279585 up to, but not including, 7d9a7f1f96cd617ee9e75bb22217c709038e26b8; 2d046892a493d9760c35fdaefc3017f27f91b621; 6.0.16 up to, but not including, 6.1; and 1 more ranges | 1cfa2d59f669db28d6292d10ff87ca6837c781b0, b41598bf54b3fe528994e573df6008f8f4d0a4f4, cd4b9b662f0fb9aa97ee6bf9034eca76fc6cab23, 97a05b0ae9ea5ec052be2eef0f9cc7ce03501bbb, 1b9331b16b0ed9414dcf7583d8134bdfeb117aae, 7d9a7f1f96cd617ee9e75bb22217c709038e26b8 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 6.0.16 up to, but not including, 6.1.175; 6.2 up to, but not including, 6.6.141; 6.7 up to, but not including, 6.12.91; 6.13 up to, but not including, 6.18.33; 6.19 up to, but not including, 7.0.10; 7.1 | 6.1.175, 6.6.141, 6.12.91, 6.18.33, 7.0.10 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb/client: fix possible infinite loop and oob read in symlink_data() On 32-bit architectures, the infinite loop is as follows: len = p->ErrorDataLength == 0xfffffff8 u8 *next = p->ErrorContextData + len next == p On 32-bit architectures, the out-of-bounds read is as follows: len = p->ErrorDataLength == 0xfffffff0 u8 *next = p->ErrorContextData + len next == (u8 *)p - 8
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b9331b16b0ed9414dcf7583d8134bdfeb117aae
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1cfa2d59f669db28d6292d10ff87ca6837c781b0
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d9a7f1f96cd617ee9e75bb22217c709038e26b8
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/97a05b0ae9ea5ec052be2eef0f9cc7ce03501bbb
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b41598bf54b3fe528994e573df6008f8f4d0a4f4
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cd4b9b662f0fb9aa97ee6bf9034eca76fc6cab23
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
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