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CVE Record

CVE-2026-80612: net: lwtunnel: Drop skb metadata before LWT encapsulation

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: lwtunnel: Drop skb metadata before LWT encapsulation skb metadata is meant for passing information between XDP and TC. It lives in the skb headroom, immediately before skb->data. LWT programs cannot access the __sk_buff->data_meta pseudo-pointer to metadata. However, LWT encapsulation prepends outer headers, moving skb->data back over the headroom where the metadata sits. On an RX-originated (forwarded) packet that still carries XDP metadata this goes wrong in two different ways, depending on the encap type: 1. Non-BPF LWT encaps (mpls, seg6, ioam6 ...) call skb_push()/skb_pull() and silently overwrite the metadata that sits in the headroom. 2) BPF LWT xmit calls bpf_skb_change_head(), which uses skb_data_move(). That helper expects metadata immediately before skb->data. But since the IP output path runs LWT xmit before neighbour output has built the outgoing L2 header, for forwarded packets skb->data points at the L3 header while skb_mac_header() still points at the old L2 header. skb_data_move() sees metadata ending at skb_mac_header(), not before skb->data, warns and clears metadata: WARNING: CPU: 21 PID: 454557 at include/linux/skbuff.h:4609 skb_data_move+0x47/0x90 CPU: 21 UID: 0 PID: 454557 Comm: napi/iconduit-g Tainted: G O 6.18.21 #1 RIP: 0010:skb_data_move+0x47/0x90 Call Trace: <IRQ> bpf_skb_change_head+0xe6/0x1a0 bpf_prog_...+0x213/0x2e3 run_lwt_bpf.isra.0+0x1d3/0x360 bpf_xmit+0x46/0xe0 lwtunnel_xmit+0xa1/0xf0 ip_finish_output2+0x1e7/0x5e0 ip_output+0x63/0x100 __netif_receive_skb_one_core+0x85/0xa0 process_backlog+0x9c/0x150 __napi_poll+0x2b/0x190 net_rx_action+0x40b/0x7f0 handle_softirqs+0xd2/0x270 do_softirq+0x3f/0x60 </IRQ> That is what happens, as for how to fix it - a received packet that carries metadata can reach an encap through any of the three LWT redirect modes: LWTUNNEL_STATE_INPUT_REDIRECT ip6_rcv_finish dst_input lwtunnel_input LWTUNNEL_STATE_OUTPUT_REDIRECT ip6_rcv_finish dst_input ip6_forward ip6_forward_finish dst_output lwtunnel_output LWTUNNEL_STATE_XMIT_REDIRECT ip6_rcv_finish dst_input ip6_forward ip6_forward_finish dst_output ip6_output ip6_finish_output ip6_finish_output2 lwtunnel_xmit Every encap funnels through the three LWT dispatch helpers, so drop the metadata there, right before handing the skb to the encap op. This single chokepoint covers all encap types and all three redirect modes: - lwtunnel_input(): seg6, rpl, ila, seg6_local - lwtunnel_output(): ioam6 - lwtunnel_xmit(): mpls, LWT BPF xmit Alternatively, we could clear the metadata right after TC ingress hook. That would require a compromise, however. Metadata would become inaccessible from TC egress (in setups where it actually reaches the hook it tact, that is without any L2 tunnels on path).

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux networking flaw can mishandle packet metadata when forwarded traffic enters Lightweight Tunnel encapsulation. The supplied record rates it critical, but the description demonstrates metadata overwrite or clearing and a kernel warning—not a confirmed path to complete system compromise. Exposure depends on specialized XDP, traffic-control, forwarding, and LWT configurations.

Executive priority

Treat as an urgent, configuration-dependent kernel update for Linux network infrastructure. First determine whether XDP metadata and LWT encapsulation coexist. Accelerate remediation where they do; use normal kernel maintenance priority elsewhere until vendors clarify affected branches and practical impact.

Technical view

RX-originated packets may retain XDP metadata in skb headroom. LWT encapsulation can prepend headers over that area, while BPF LWT xmit may invoke skb_data_move() with inconsistent data and MAC-header positions. Non-BPF encapsulations can overwrite metadata; BPF paths can warn and clear it. The referenced fix drops metadata in lwtunnel_input(), lwtunnel_output(), and lwtunnel_xmit() before encapsulation.

Likely exposure

Most exposed are Linux routers, gateways, or network appliances that forward RX traffic carrying XDP metadata into MPLS, SEG6, IOAM6, RPL, ILA, SEG6-local, or LWT BPF encapsulation. The supplied affected-version data is ambiguous; verify exact kernel branches and vendor backports rather than relying solely on its version list.

Exploitation context

The bundle reports CVSS 9.8 but does not establish exploitation in the wild, and KEV is false. No public exploit evidence is provided. Triggering appears to require a particular configured networking data path, although packets entering that path may be remotely supplied.

Researcher notes

The supplied CVSS claims complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, but the technical narrative directly documents metadata overwrite, metadata clearing, and a warning only. The source bundle does not explain how those effects produce full compromise. Version entries are internally unclear, including commit identifiers and unusual ranges, so branch-level applicability requires confirmation from kernel or distribution advisories.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced fix or its stable backport.
  • Prioritize routers, gateways, appliances, and hosts using XDP metadata with LWT encapsulation.
  • If patching is delayed, prevent XDP-metadata-bearing forwarded traffic from reaching affected LWT paths.
  • Consult distribution guidance for exact fixed package versions and reboot requirements.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and vendor package release identifiers on network-facing Linux systems.
  • Identify XDP, TC, forwarding, and LWT configurations using the named encapsulation types.
  • Confirm the installed kernel contains either referenced fix or an equivalent vendor backport.
  • Review kernel logs for skb_data_move warnings matching the supplied call trace.
  • Test affected forwarding paths in staging after updating, including BPF and non-BPF encapsulation.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

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-2026-80612 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-80612Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

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

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux8989d328dfe7c7a3b9f4b9f0ef60006d277f81cc, 8989d328dfe7c7a3b9f4b9f0ef60006d277f81ccunaffected
LinuxLinux6.19, 0, 7.1.5, 7.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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