CVE-2026-97608: Linux Vulnerability (CVSS 7)

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_log: unregister loggers before per-net teardown nf_log_syslog and nfnetlink_log unregister their per-network namespace operations before unregistering their global logger backends. This leaves a window where a sysctl or netlink writer can rebind the still- registered logger after the per-net pre-exit callback cleared the old selection. The race looks like this: CPU 0 CPU 1 ---- ---- unregister_pernet_subsys() nf_log_unset(net, logger) net->nf.nf_loggers[pf] = NULL lock nf_log_mutex find logger in loggers[][] net->nf.nf_loggers[pf] = logger unlock nf_log_mutex nf_log_unregister(logger) lock nf_log_mutex loggers[pf][type] = NULL unlock nf_log_mutex synchronize_rcu() module exit returns module core frees backend memory Later, a sysctl read or packet logging operation can dereference the stale per-net logger pointer. Fix this by unregistering the global logger backends before tearing down per-net state. Once the global registrations are gone, later writers can no longer rebind the logger. unregister_pernet_subsys() already waits for an RCU grace period after the pre-exit callback clears the per-net selection, while nf_log_unregister() continues to cover readers of the global logger table. Apply this ordering fix to both nf_log backends that combine per-net teardown with global logger registration.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux	>= 5b023fc8d8e0997e0b7ea6506d243afd5478c96e, < eaec35fae8f2052c1878a5c7cc7699d8357d79f2; >= 5b023fc8d8e0997e0b7ea6506d243afd5478c96e, < 64803ba0a05791cf9ca874466480e4c4cadaf7ab; >= 5b023fc8d8e0997e0b7ea6506d243afd5478c96e, < dce24f3a146948595bb1b86347f31e20b4975daa; >= 5b023fc8d8e0997e0b7ea6506d243afd5478c96e, < 2c018cc4842c33f0c732962e2ab58635e8ae5823
Linux	Linux	3.10

References

Timeline

Published: Sep 25, 2026
Last Modified: Sep 25, 2026
Status: Received

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-97608?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_log: unregister loggers before per-net teardown nf_log_syslog and nfnetlink_log unregister their per-network namespace operations before unregistering their global logger backends. This leaves a window where a sysctl or netlink writer can rebind the still- registered logger after the per-net pre-exit callback cleared the old selection. The race looks like this: CPU 0 CPU 1 ---- ---- unregister_pernet_subsys() nf_log_unset(net, logger) net->nf.nf_loggers[pf] = NULL lock nf_log_mutex find logger in loggers[][] net->nf.nf_loggers[pf] = logger unlock nf_log_mutex nf_log_unregister(logger) lock nf_log_mutex loggers[pf][type] = NULL unlock nf_log_mutex synchronize_rcu() module exit returns module core frees backend memory Later, a sysctl read or packet logging operation can dereference the stale per-net logger pointer. Fix this by unregistering the global logger backends before tearing down per-net state. Once the global registrations are gone, later writers can no longer rebind the logger. unregister_pernet_subsys() already waits for an RCU grace period after the pre-exit callback clears the per-net selection, while nf_log_unregister() continues to cover readers of the global logger table. Apply this ordering fix to both nf_log backends that combine per-net teardown with global logger registration.

How severe is CVE-2026-97608?

CVE-2026-97608 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity).

How do I fix CVE-2026-97608?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

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