CVE-2026-53264: net/sched: act_api: use RCU with deferred freeing for action lifecycle

Published Jun 25, 2026
·
Updated

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

net/sched: actapi: use RCU with deferred freeing for action lifecycle

When NEWTFILTER and DELFILTER are run concurrently it is possible to create a race with an associated action.

Let's illustrate with CPU0 running NEWTFILTER and CPU1 running DELFILTER:

0: mutexlock() <-- holds the idr lock 0: rcureadlock() 0: p = idrfind(idr, index) <-- action p is valid (RCU protects IDR) 0: mutexunlock() <-- releases the idr lock 1: refcountdecandmutexlock() <-- refcnt 1->0, mutex held 1: idrremove(idr, index) <-- Action removed from IDR 1: mutexunlock() <-- mutex released allowing us to delete the action 1: tcfactioncleanup(p); kfree(p) <-- Kfrees p immediately, no deferral 0: refcountincnotzero(&p->tcfarefcnt) <-- ouch, UAF p points to freed memory

This patch fixes the race condition between NEWTFILTER and DELFILTER by adding struct rcuhead to tcaction used in the deferral and introducing a callrcu() in the delete path to defer the final kfree().

Note: this is a revert of commit d7fb60b9cafb ("netsched: get rid of tcfarcu") but also modernization/simplification to directly use kfreercu().

Let's illustrate the new restored code path:

0: rcureadlock() 1: refcountdecandmutexlock() <-- refcnt 1->0, mutex held 1: idrremove(idr, index) 1: mutexunlock() 1: callrcu(&p->tcfarcu, tcfactionrcufree) <-- defer kfree after grace period 0: p = idrfind(idr, index) 0: refcountincnotzero(&p->tcfarefcnt) <-- fails, refcnt already 0 1: rcureadunlock() <-- release so freeing can run after grace period

After CPU1 calls idrremove(), the object is no longer reachable through the IDR. CPU0's subsequent idrfind() will return NULL, and even if it still held a stale pointer, the immediate kfree() is now deferred until after the RCU grace period, so no UAF can occur.

Affected Software

15 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Foundation Linux Kernel
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.141.1-1<6.6.143.1-1
6.6.143.1-1
Linux Linux kernel>=4.14<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
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel net/sched act_api to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch d7fb60b9cafb

Event History

Jun 25, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:39 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:39 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·10:09 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jun 27, 2026
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:08 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·08:08 AM
DescriptionSeverity
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-53264?

CVE-2026-53264 has a risk rating of 55, indicating a medium severity vulnerability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-53264?

To fix CVE-2026-53264, update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been resolved.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-53264?

CVE-2026-53264 affects the Linux Kernel when using the net/sched component with the NEWTFILTER and DELFILTER functionalities.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-53264?

CVE-2026-53264 is classified as a race condition vulnerability within the Linux Kernel.

5

What can happen if CVE-2026-53264 is exploited?

Exploitation of CVE-2026-53264 can lead to unexpected behavior or system instability due to race conditions during action lifecycle management.

Contact

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