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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23111: netfilter: nf_tables: fix inverted genmask check in nft_map_catchall_activate()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: fix inverted genmask check in nft_map_catchall_activate() nft_map_catchall_activate() has an inverted element activity check compared to its non-catchall counterpart nft_mapelem_activate() and compared to what is logically required. nft_map_catchall_activate() is called from the abort path to re-activate catchall map elements that were deactivated during a failed transaction. It should skip elements that are already active (they don't need re-activation) and process elements that are inactive (they need to be restored). Instead, the current code does the opposite: it skips inactive elements and processes active ones. Compare the non-catchall activate callback, which is correct: nft_mapelem_activate(): if (nft_set_elem_active(ext, iter->genmask)) return 0; /* skip active, process inactive */ With the buggy catchall version: nft_map_catchall_activate(): if (!nft_set_elem_active(ext, genmask)) continue; /* skip inactive, process active */ The consequence is that when a DELSET operation is aborted, nft_setelem_data_activate() is never called for the catchall element. For NFT_GOTO verdict elements, this means nft_data_hold() is never called to restore the chain->use reference count. Each abort cycle permanently decrements chain->use. Once chain->use reaches zero, DELCHAIN succeeds and frees the chain while catchall verdict elements still reference it, resulting in a use-after-free. This is exploitable for local privilege escalation from an unprivileged user via user namespaces + nftables on distributions that enable CONFIG_USER_NS and CONFIG_NF_TABLES. Fix by removing the negation so the check matches nft_mapelem_activate(): skip active elements, process inactive ones.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-23111 is a Linux kernel nftables flaw that can let a local user turn a failed ruleset transaction into a kernel use-after-free. Successful exploitation can provide root-level control on systems where user namespaces and nftables are enabled.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority for multi-user Linux, container hosts, developer workstations, and internet-facing servers with local users. It is not remotely exploitable by itself, but it can turn limited local access into full system compromise.

Technical view

The bug is an inverted activity check in nft_map_catchall_activate(). During abort handling, inactive catchall map elements are not reactivated, so NFT_GOTO verdict references can lose chain use counts. Repeated aborts can allow DELCHAIN to free a still-referenced chain, creating a use-after-free.

Likely exposure

Most exposed systems are Linux hosts that enable CONFIG_USER_NS and CONFIG_NF_TABLES, including some container-capable distributions. The source bundle identifies Linux kernel versions and vendor advisories, but exact exposure depends on each distribution kernel and backport status.

Exploitation context

The bundle says exploitation is local privilege escalation from an unprivileged user through user namespaces and nftables. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not establish active in-the-wild exploitation.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on nftables catchall map verdict behavior and abort-path reference restoration, not generic nftables exposure alone. The fix aligns nft_map_catchall_activate() with nft_mapelem_activate() by skipping active elements and processing inactive ones.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply kernel updates from your Linux distribution or vendor advisory.
  • Prioritize Red Hat and vendor errata listed for affected enterprise kernels.
  • Disable or restrict unprivileged user namespaces where operationally feasible.
  • Limit local shell and container access on high-value systems until patched.
  • Track appliance vendor advisories for embedded Linux exposure.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions across servers, workstations, and appliances.
  • Check whether CONFIG_USER_NS and CONFIG_NF_TABLES are enabled.
  • Compare installed kernels against distro advisories and fixed package levels.
  • Confirm hosts rebooted into the updated kernel after patching.
  • Review vendor advisories for Siemens or other packaged Linux products.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
11

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-672: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-23111 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
3ADP providers
17Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9redhat-SADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-23111Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Reported to Red Hat.

  3. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Made public.

  4. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  5. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

siemens-SADPADP container
CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
redhat-SADPkernel: Kernel: Privilege escalation or denial of service in nf_tables via inverted element activity check
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z: Made public.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux25aa2ad37c2162be1c0bc4fe6397f7e4c13f00f8, d60be2da67d172aecf866302c91ea11533eca4d9, 628bd3e49cba1c066228e23d71a852c23e26da73, 628bd3e49cba1c066228e23d71a852c23e26da73, 628bd3e49cba1c066228e23d71a852c23e26da73, 628bd3e49cba1c066228e23d71a852c23e26da73, bc9f791d2593f17e39f87c6e2b3a36549a3705b1, 3c7ec098e3b588434a8b07ea9b5b36f04cef1f50, a136b7942ad2a50de708f76ea299ccb45ac7a7f9, dc7cdf8cbcbf8b13de1df93f356ec04cdeef5c41, 5.15.121, 6.1.36, 4.19.316, 5.4.262, 5.10.188, 6.3.10unaffected
LinuxLinux6.4, 0, 5.15.200, 6.1.163, 6.6.124, 6.12.70, 6.18.10, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-416 · source CWE mapping

Use After Free

Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

CWE-672 · source CWE mapping

Operation on a Resource after Expiration or Release

Operation on a Resource after Expiration or Release represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.