CVE-2026-53260
A critical flaw in the Linux kernel’s TCP handling can cause a reference count underflow, potentially leading to a crash or memory corruption. The issue has been fixed in newer kernel releases.
An official fix is available, so this entry is kept for 30 days and then removed automatically.
Who is affected
Linux kernel 7.1 and earlier versions on all distributions that use the affected kernel. Typical users include system administrators and anyone running a Linux server or workstation.
Real-world impact
An attacker could trigger a crash or exploit memory corruption, leading to denial of service or potentially arbitrary code execution if the crash is leveraged.
Why this severity
The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the vulnerability’s high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with no authentication or user interaction required.
What to do about it
- 011. Update your Linux kernel to version 7.1 or newer, which contains the fix.
- 022. Reboot the system to load the new kernel.
NVD-referenced vendor advisory
Timeline
- Jun 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026PublishedDisclosed and added to the National Vulnerability Database.
- Jul 24, 2026 · 10d agoAdvisory updatedThe NVD record was last revised.
- Jul 24, 2026 · 10d agoOfficial fix availableA vendor patch or mitigation now exists — see the remediation steps above.