CVE-2026-53261: devlink: Release nested relation on devlink free

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2026-53261?

CVE-2026-53261 has a severity rating of 10, indicating a critical vulnerability.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-53261?

To fix CVE-2026-53261, update to a patched version of the Linux kernel that addresses this vulnerability.

Q: What systems are affected by CVE-2026-53261?

CVE-2026-53261 affects various versions of the Linux kernel that handle devlink functionalities.

Q: What are the potential consequences of CVE-2026-53261?

Exploitation of CVE-2026-53261 may lead to arbitrary code execution and potential system compromise.

Q: Is CVE-2026-53261 actively exploited in the wild?

As of the latest information, there are no confirmed reports of active exploitation of CVE-2026-53261.

Published Jun 25, 2026

Updated

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

devlink: Release nested relation on devlink free

devlink relation state is normally released from devlunregister(), which calls devlinkrelput(). This misses devlink instances that get a nested relation before registration and then fail probe before devlregister() is reached.

That flow can happen for SFs. The child devlink gets linked to its parent before registration, then a later probe error calls devlinkfree() directly. Since the instance was never registered, devlunregister() is not called and devlink->rel is leaked.

Release any pending relation from devlinkfree() as well. The registered path is unchanged because devlunregister() already clears devlink->rel before devlinkfree() runs.

Affected Software

180 affected componentsFixes available

Linux Linux kernel

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

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<6.8.0-1066.69~22.04.1

6.8.0-1066.69~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8<6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1

6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8<6.8.0-1068.75~22.04.1

6.8.0-1068.75~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8<6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1

6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8<6.8.0-1066.67~22.04.1

6.8.0-1066.67~22.04.1

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<6.8.0-146.146.1~22.04.1

6.8.0-146.146.1~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8<6.8.0-1064.67~22.04.1

6.8.0-1064.67~22.04.1

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*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8<6.8.0-146.146~22.04.1

6.8.0-146.146~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8<6.8.1-1061.62~22.04.1

6.8.1-1061.62~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux<6.8.0-146.146

6.8.0-146.146

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.8.0-1066.69

6.8.0-1066.69

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-aws-7.0<7.0.0-1012.12~24.04.1

7.0.0-1012.12~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.8.0-1070.78

6.8.0-1070.78

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-azure-7.0<7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1

7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<6.8.0-1068.75

6.8.0-1068.75

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-7.0<7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1

7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.8.0-1070.78

6.8.0-1070.78

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-7.0<7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1

7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke<6.8.0-1065.73

6.8.0-1065.73

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<6.8.0-1051.55

6.8.0-1051.55

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0<7.0.0-31.31~24.04.1

7.0.0-31.31~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm<6.8.0-1066.67

6.8.0-1066.67

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<6.8.0-146.146.1

6.8.0-146.146.1

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<6.8.0-1064.67

6.8.0-1064.67

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-7.0<7.0.0-1018.18~24.04.1

7.0.0-1018.18~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency<6.8.0-1064.67.1

6.8.0-1064.67.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.8.0-1063.66

6.8.0-1063.66

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-7.0<7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1

7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0<7.0.0-31.31.1~24.04.1

7.0.0-31.31.1~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-xilinx*

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<6.8.0-1032.37

6.8.0-1032.37

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.8.1-1061.62

6.8.1-1061.62

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<6.8.0-1066.69+fips1

6.8.0-1066.69+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<6.8.0-1069.77+fips1

6.8.0-1069.77+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<6.8.0-146.146+fips1

6.8.0-146.146+fips1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<6.8.0-1070.78+fips1

6.8.0-1070.78+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*

ubuntu/linux<7.0.0-31.31

7.0.0-31.31

ubuntu/linux-aws<7.0.0-1012.12

7.0.0-1012.12

ubuntu/linux-azure<7.0.0-1014.14

7.0.0-1014.14

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<7.0.0-1013.13

7.0.0-1013.13

ubuntu/linux-gcp<7.0.0-1011.11

7.0.0-1011.11

ubuntu/linux-gke<7.0.0-1006.7

7.0.0-1006.7

ubuntu/linux-ibm<7.0.0-1013.13

7.0.0-1013.13

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<7.0.0-1018.18

7.0.0-1018.18

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-bos<7.0.0-2018.18

7.0.0-2018.18

ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0<7.0.0-1013.13

7.0.0-1013.13

ubuntu/linux-oracle<7.0.0-1011.11

7.0.0-1011.11

ubuntu/linux-raspi<7.0.0-1019.19

7.0.0-1019.19

ubuntu/linux-realtime<7.0.0-31.31.1

7.0.0-31.31.1

ubuntu/linux-riscv<7.0.0-31.31.1

7.0.0-31.31.1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1066.69~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1068.75~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1066.67~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-146.146.1~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1064.67~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-146.146~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1061.62~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-146.146
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1066.69
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1012.12~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1070.78
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1068.75
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1070.78
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1065.73
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.55
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1066.67
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-146.146.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1064.67
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1018.18~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1064.67.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1063.66
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31.1~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1032.37
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1061.62
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1066.69+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1069.77+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-146.146+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1070.78+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1012.12
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1006.7
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1018.18
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-bos to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-2018.18
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1019.19
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31.1

Event History

Jun 25, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·08:39 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·08:39 AM

Description

Data Sourced

via OSV·09:16 AM

DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Data Sourced

via NVD·09:16 AM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-53261?

CVE-2026-53261 has a severity rating of 10, indicating a critical vulnerability.

How do I fix CVE-2026-53261?

To fix CVE-2026-53261, update to a patched version of the Linux kernel that addresses this vulnerability.

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-53261?

CVE-2026-53261 affects various versions of the Linux kernel that handle devlink functionalities.

What are the potential consequences of CVE-2026-53261?

Exploitation of CVE-2026-53261 may lead to arbitrary code execution and potential system compromise.

Is CVE-2026-53261 actively exploited in the wild?

As of the latest information, there are no confirmed reports of active exploitation of CVE-2026-53261.

CVE-2026-53261: devlink: Release nested relation on devlink free

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-53261?

How do I fix CVE-2026-53261?

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-53261?

What are the potential consequences of CVE-2026-53261?

Is CVE-2026-53261 actively exploited in the wild?

Company

Resources

Contact