CVE-2026-53228

CRITICAL 9.8

Published 2026-06-25 · Last modified 2026-06-28

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: sit: reload inner IPv6 header after GSO offloads ipip6_tunnel_xmit() caches the inner IPv6 header pointer at function entry and continues using it after iptunnel_handle_offloads(). For GSO skbs, iptunnel_handle_offloads() calls skb_header_unclone(). When the skb header is cloned, skb_header_unclone() can call pskb_expand_head(), which may move the skb head. The pskb_expand_head() contract requires pointers into the skb header to be reloaded after the call. If the later skb_realloc_headroom() branch is not taken, SIT uses the stale iph6 pointer to read the inner hop limit and DS field. That can read from a freed skb head after the old head's remaining clone is released. Reload iph6 after the offload helper succeeds and before subsequent reads from the inner IPv6 header. Keep the existing reload after skb_realloc_headroom(), since that branch can also replace the skb.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 9.8), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.6%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 42nd percentile

○ In CISA KEV ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

9.8CVSS 3.1 · CRITICAL

ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh

What an attacker needs

✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Affected

Vendors Linux

Products Linux

Weakness (CWE)

Not classified.

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References

Technical & other

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS