CVE-2026-53181: vsock/vmci: fix sk_ack_backlog leak on failed handshake

Published Jun 25, 2026
·
Updated

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

vsock/vmci: fix skackbacklog leak on failed handshake

When vmcitransportrecvconnectingserver() returns an error, vmcitransportrecvlisten() calls vsockremovepending() but never calls skacceptqremoved(). This leaves skackbacklog incremented permanently.

Repeated handshake failures (malformed packets, queue pair alloc failure, event subscribe failure) cause skackbacklog to climb toward skmaxackbacklog. Once it reaches the limit the listener permanently refuses all new connections with -ECONNREFUSED, a silent denial of service requiring a process restart to recover.

The two existing skacceptqremoved() calls in afvsock.c do not cover this path: line 764 checks vsockispending() which returns false after vsockremovepending(), and line 1889 is only reached on successful accept().

Fix by balancing skacceptqadded() with skacceptqremoved() on the error path.

Affected Software

15 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel (vsock/vmci)
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.141.1-1<6.6.143.1-1
6.6.143.1-1
Linux Linux kernel>=3.9<5.10.259
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.210
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.176
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.143
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.94
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.36
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<7.0.13
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc5
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc6

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.6.143.1-1

Event History

Jun 25, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:38 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:38 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jun 27, 2026
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:09 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-53181?

CVE-2026-53181 has a medium severity rating of 5.5.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-53181?

To remediate CVE-2026-53181, you should update the Linux kernel to the latest version where the vulnerability has been resolved.

3

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2026-53181?

The potential impact of CVE-2026-53181 includes a denial of service condition due to an sk_ack_backlog leak during failed handshakes.

4

Which software is affected by CVE-2026-53181?

CVE-2026-53181 affects the Linux kernel with the vsock/vmci components, as well as the Microsoft azl3 kernel version 6.6.141.1-1.

5

When was CVE-2026-53181 published?

CVE-2026-53181 was published on June 25, 2026.

Contact

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