CVE-2026-23111: netfilter: nf_tables: fix inverted genmask check in nft_map_catchall_activate()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netfilter: nftables: fix inverted genmask check in nftmapcatchallactivate()
nftmapcatchallactivate() has an inverted element activity check compared to its non-catchall counterpart nftmapelemactivate() and compared to what is logically required.
nftmapcatchallactivate() 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:
nftmapelemactivate(): if (nftsetelemactive(ext, iter->genmask)) return 0; / skip active, process inactive /
With the buggy catchall version:
nftmapcatchallactivate(): if (!nftsetelemactive(ext, genmask)) continue; / skip inactive, process active /
The consequence is that when a DELSET operation is aborted, nftsetelemdataactivate() is never called for the catchall element. For NFTGOTO verdict elements, this means nftdatahold() 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 CONFIGUSERNS and CONFIGNFTABLES.
Fix by removing the negation so the check matches nftmapelemactivate(): skip active elements, process inactive ones.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-23111?
CVE-2026-23111 is a vulnerability that may impact system integrity due to the inverted genmask check in the Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-23111?
To fix CVE-2026-23111, update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version that addresses this vulnerability.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-23111?
CVE-2026-23111 affects the Linux kernel, specifically systems utilizing the netfilter functionality.
What are the potential consequences of CVE-2026-23111?
The potential consequences of CVE-2026-23111 include misconfigured packet processing rules, which could lead to unauthorized access.
Is there a workaround for CVE-2026-23111 if I cannot update immediately?
There are no specific workarounds for CVE-2026-23111, so it is recommended to apply the kernel update as soon as possible.