CVE-2026-22994: bpf: Fix reference count leak in bpf_prog_test_run_xdp()

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2026-22994?

The severity of CVE-2026-22994 is classified as moderate due to the reference count leak in the Linux kernel.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-22994?

To fix CVE-2026-22994, you should update the Linux kernel to the latest version that includes the patch for this vulnerability.

Q: Which systems are affected by CVE-2026-22994?

CVE-2026-22994 affects the Linux kernel where the bpf_prog_test_run_xdp() function is utilized.

Q: What are the symptoms of CVE-2026-22994?

Symptoms of CVE-2026-22994 include potential delays in network device unregistration due to reference count issues.

Q: Is CVE-2026-22994 a remote or local vulnerability?

CVE-2026-22994 is considered a local vulnerability, as it requires local access to exploit the reference count leak.

Published Jan 23, 2026

Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

bpf: Fix reference count leak in bpfprogtestrunxdp()

syzbot is reporting

unregisternetdevice: waiting for sit0 to become free. Usage count = 2

problem. A debug printk() patch found that a refcount is obtained at xdpconvertmdtobuff() from bpfprogtestrunxdp().

According to commit ec94670fcb3b ("bpf: Support specifying ingress via xdpmd context in BPFPROGTESTRUN"), the refcount obtained by xdpconvertmdtobuff() will be released by xdpconvertbufftomd().

Therefore, we can consider that the error handling path introduced by commit 1c1949982524 ("bpf: introduce frags support to bpfprogtestrunxdp()") forgot to call xdpconvertbufftomd().

Affected Software

167 affected componentsFixes available

linux_kernel

debian/linux

6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.115-27.2.12-17.2.15-1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-oem*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi2*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8<6.8.0-1057.60~22.04.1

6.8.0-1057.60~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8<6.8.0-1059.65~22.04.1

6.8.0-1059.65~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8<6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1

6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8<6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1

6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-124.124~22.04.1

6.8.0-124.124~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8<6.8.0-1055.56~22.04.1

6.8.0-1055.56~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-117.117.1~22.04.1

6.8.0-117.117.1~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8<6.8.0-1054.57~22.04.1

6.8.0-1054.57~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8<6.8.0-1054.55~22.04.1

6.8.0-1054.55~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8<6.8.0-117.117~22.04.1

6.8.0-117.117~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8<6.8.1-1051.52~22.04.1

6.8.1-1051.52~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux<6.8.0-117.117

6.8.0-117.117

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.8.0-1055.58

6.8.0-1055.58

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.8.0-1056.62

6.8.0-1056.62

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17<6.17.0-1021.21~24.04.1

6.17.0-1021.21~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<6.8.0-1058.65

6.8.0-1058.65

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.8.0-1058.61

6.8.0-1058.61

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.17<6.17.0-1021.24~24.04.1

6.17.0-1021.24~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke<6.8.0-1054.60

6.8.0-1054.60

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<6.8.0-1041.44

6.8.0-1041.44

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17<6.17.0-41.41~24.04.1

6.17.0-41.41~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm<6.8.0-1055.56

6.8.0-1055.56

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<6.8.0-117.117.1

6.8.0-117.117.1

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<6.8.0-1054.57

6.8.0-1054.57

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17<6.17.0-1031.31

6.17.0-1031.31

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency<6.8.0-1054.57.1

6.8.0-1054.57.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<6.8.0-1024.24

6.8.0-1024.24

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17<6.17.0-1030.30

6.17.0-1030.30

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.8.0-1054.55

6.8.0-1054.55

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17<6.17.0-1019.19~24.04.3

6.17.0-1019.19~24.04.3

ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.8.0-1056.60

6.8.0-1056.60

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx<6.8.0-1032.33

6.8.0-1032.33

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<6.8.0-1022.26

6.8.0-1022.26

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime<6.8.0-2045.46

6.8.0-2045.46

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.8.1-1051.52

6.8.1-1051.52

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17<6.17.0-1018.20~24.04.1

6.17.0-1018.20~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<6.8.0-1055.58+fips1

6.8.0-1055.58+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<6.8.0-1059.65+fips1

6.8.0-1059.65+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<6.8.0-116.116+fips1

6.8.0-116.116+fips1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<6.8.0-1058.61+fips1

6.8.0-1058.61+fips1

ubuntu/linux*

ubuntu/linux-aws*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-oracle*

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

Linux Linux kernel>=5.18<6.1.161

Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.121

Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.66

Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.6

Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc1

Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc2

Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc3

Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc4

Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc5

linux/kernel>=5.18.0<6.1.161

6.1.161

linux/kernel>=6.2.0<6.6.121

6.6.121

linux/kernel>=6.7.0<6.12.66

6.12.66

linux/kernel>=6.13.0<6.18.6

6.18.6

debian/linux<6.1.162-1

6.1.162-1

debian/linux<6.12.69-1

6.12.69-1

debian/linux<6.18.8-1

6.18.8-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.115-2Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1057.60~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1059.65~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-124.124~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1055.56~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-117.117.1~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.57~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.55~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-117.117~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1051.52~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-117.117
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1055.58
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1056.62
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1021.21~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.65
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.61
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1021.24~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.60
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1041.44
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-41.41~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1055.56
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-117.117.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.57
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1031.31
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.57.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1024.24
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1030.30
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.55
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1019.19~24.04.3
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1056.60
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-xilinx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1032.33
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1022.26
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-2045.46
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1051.52
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1018.20~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1055.58+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1059.65+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-116.116+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.61+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.161
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.6.121
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.66
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.18.6
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.162-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.69-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.18.8-1

Event History

Jan 23, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·03:24 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·03:24 PM

Description

Data Sourced

via OSV·03:24 PM

DescriptionAffected Software

Data Sourced

via OSV·04:15 PM

Severity

Data Sourced

via NVD·04:15 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

DLA-4476-1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-22994?

The severity of CVE-2026-22994 is classified as moderate due to the reference count leak in the Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2026-22994?

To fix CVE-2026-22994, you should update the Linux kernel to the latest version that includes the patch for this vulnerability.

Which systems are affected by CVE-2026-22994?

CVE-2026-22994 affects the Linux kernel where the bpf_prog_test_run_xdp() function is utilized.

What are the symptoms of CVE-2026-22994?

Symptoms of CVE-2026-22994 include potential delays in network device unregistration due to reference count issues.

Is CVE-2026-22994 a remote or local vulnerability?

CVE-2026-22994 is considered a local vulnerability, as it requires local access to exploit the reference count leak.

CVE-2026-22994: bpf: Fix reference count leak in bpf_prog_test_run_xdp()

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Peer vulnerabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-22994?

How do I fix CVE-2026-22994?

Which systems are affected by CVE-2026-22994?

What are the symptoms of CVE-2026-22994?

Is CVE-2026-22994 a remote or local vulnerability?

Company

Resources

Contact