CVE-2026-23209: macvlan: fix error recovery in macvlan_common_newlink()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
macvlan: fix error recovery in macvlan_common_newlink()
valis provided a nice repro to crash the kernel:
ip link add p1 type veth peer p2
ip link set address 00:00:00:00:00:20 dev p1
ip link set up dev p1
ip link set up dev p2
ip link add mv0 link p2 type macvlan mode source
ip link add invalid% link p2 type macvlan mode source macaddr add 00:00:00:00:00:20
ping -c1 -I p1 1.2.3.4
He also gave a very detailed analysis:
<quote valis>
The issue is triggered when a new macvlan link is created with
MACVLAN_MODE_SOURCE mode and MACVLAN_MACADDR_ADD (or
MACVLAN_MACADDR_SET) parameter, lower device already has a macvlan
port and register_netdevice() called from macvlan_common_newlink()
fails (e.g. because of the invalid link name).
In this case macvlan_hash_add_source is called from
macvlan_change_sources() / macvlan_common_newlink():
This adds a reference to vlan to the port's vlan_source_hash using
macvlan_source_entry.
vlan is a pointer to the priv data of the link that is being created.
When register_netdevice() fails, the error is returned from
macvlan_newlink() to rtnl_newlink_create():
if (ops->newlink)
err = ops->newlink(dev, ¶ms, extack);
else
err = register_netdevice(dev);
if (err < 0) {
free_netdev(dev);
goto out;
}
and free_netdev() is called, causing a kvfree() on the struct
net_device that is still referenced in the source entry attached to
the lower device's macvlan port.
Now all packets sent on the macvlan port with a matching source mac
address will trigger a use-after-free in macvlan_forward_source().
</quote valis>
With all that, my fix is to make sure we call macvlan_flush_sources()
regardless of @create value whenever "goto destroy_macvlan_port;"
path is taken.
Many thanks to valis for following up on this issue.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in Linux macvlan error handling can leave freed kernel memory referenced after a macvlan link-creation failure. Subsequent matching network traffic may trigger memory corruption or a kernel crash. Exploitation requires local access and relevant networking privileges, but successful abuse could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Executive priority
Prioritize internet-facing, multi-tenant, container, and shared Linux environments where less-trusted users can administer virtual networking. The flaw is not remotely exploitable by itself, but its potential impact spans kernel compromise and service interruption. Patch promptly after vendor validation; accelerate treatment where macvlan is exposed to untrusted workloads.
Technical view
During creation of a MACVLAN_MODE_SOURCE interface, source entries may be added before register_netdevice() fails. The device is then freed without removing those entries, producing a use-after-free in macvlan_forward_source() when traffic matches the configured source MAC address. The published fix flushes source entries on the affected cleanup path.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels where a local actor can create or configure macvlan links and induce the relevant registration failure. Systems using containers, network namespaces, or macvlan networking warrant attention. The bundle does not provide reliable distribution-package mappings, so operators must confirm exposure with their Linux vendor.
Exploitation context
The CVSS score is 7.8 with local, low-privilege attack characteristics and no user interaction. A kernel-crash reproducer and detailed root-cause analysis are public. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The failure sequence is well documented: source-hash insertion succeeds, device registration fails, free_netdev() releases the device, and the lower port retains a stale reference. Matching traffic later dereferences it. Exact affected and fixed distribution builds are not established by the bundle; validate using vendor backport information rather than kernel version numbers alone.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced macvlan fix.
Check distribution security guidance for corrected package versions and reboot requirements.
Restrict untrusted users and workloads from creating or configuring macvlan interfaces.
Reduce macvlan source-mode use until affected systems are updated.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel and distribution package versions across Linux systems.
Compare kernel builds with vendor advisories or the referenced stable fixes.
Identify hosts, containers, or namespaces using macvlan source mode.
After remediation, confirm the corrected kernel is running following any required reboot.
Review kernel logs for unexplained crashes or macvlan-related memory faults.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVE-2026-23209 mapping review
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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.
1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
8Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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.