CVE-2026-68170: mptcp: fix stale skb->sk reference on subflow close
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mptcp: fix stale skb->sk reference on subflow close
The backlog list is updated by mptcpdataready() under mptcpdatalock(). The cleanup of backlog references to a closing subflow, however, was performed in mptcpclosessk(), before mptcpclosessk() acquires the ssk lock, and while holding neither the ssk lock nor mptcpdatalock().
Because that traversal ran without mptcpdatalock(), concurrent softirq RX processing on another CPU (subflowdataready() -> mptcpdataready() -> mptcpaddbacklog(), under mptcpdatalock()) could add a backlog entry referencing the ssk while the cleanup loop was in progress. Such an entry could be missed by the cleanup, or the concurrent list update could corrupt the traversal, leaving skb->sk pointing at the ssk after it is freed.
A later mptcpbacklogpurge() then dereferences the stale pointer, triggering a warning in inetsockdestruct() (ssk->skrmemalloc != 0) followed by a use-after-free in mptcpbacklogpurge().
Fix this by moving the backlog cleanup into mptcpclosessk(), after subflow->closing is set to 1 and while the ssk lock is still held, serialized under mptcpdatalock(). The cleanup runs only on the push path (MPTCPCFPUSH), where backlog references accumulate; on other teardown paths the caller already handles cleanup.
With subflow->closing set and mptcpdatalock() held across the purge, any concurrent mptcpdataready() either completes its enqueue before the purge runs and is caught, or observes closing=1 and bails out. Once mptcpdataunlock() is reached, no new skb referencing the ssk can be enqueued, so the cleanup is exhaustive.
Remove the unprotected traversal from mptcpclosessk() entirely.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Configuration
Update the Linux kernel MPTCP code to remove the unprotected backlog traversal from mptcp_close_ssk(), and instead move backlog cleanup into __mptcp_close_ssk() so that the backlog purge is executed only on the MPTCP_CF_PUSH path with subflow->closing set and while holding mptcp_data_lock() (across the purge), preventing stale skb->sk dereference/use-after-free in mptcp_backlog_purge().
Linux kernel MPTCP mptcp_close_ssk backlog cleanup traversal under locking = Move backlog cleanup into __mptcp_close_ssk() and remove unprotected traversal from mptcp_close_ssk entirely; ensure backlog purge runs with mptcp_data_lock() held across the purge after setting subflow->closing and with the ssk lock held
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-68170?
CVE-2026-68170 has a risk score of 57.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-68170?
CVE-2026-68170 is classified as a Use After Free vulnerability.
How does CVE-2026-68170 affect the Linux kernel?
CVE-2026-68170 causes a stale skb->sk reference during subflow closure in the Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-68170?
To fix CVE-2026-68170, update your Linux kernel to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability.
When was CVE-2026-68170 published?
CVE-2026-68170 was published on August 10, 2026.