CVE-2026-23459·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ip_tunnel: adapt iptunnel_xmit_stats() to NETDEV_PCPU_STAT_DSTATS Blamed commits forgot that vxlan/geneve use udp_tunnel[6]_xmit_skb() which call iptunnel_xmit_stats(). iptunnel_xmit_stats() was assuming tunnels were only using NETDEV_PCPU_STAT_TSTATS. @syncp offset in pcpu_sw_netstats and pcpu_dstats is different. 32bit kernels would either have corruptions or freezes if the syncp sequence was overwritten. This patch also moves pcpu_stat_type closer to dev->{t,d}stats to avoid a potential cache line miss since iptunnel_xmit_stats() needs to read it.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.19.10
- Published
- 2026-04-03
Affected versions
From: 6.14
Until: 6.19.10
Fixed in: 6.19.10
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.19.10 or later to resolve a critical memory corruption issue in the IP tunnel statistics handling. This vulnerability affects tunnel drivers (VXLAN, Geneve) that use UDP tunnel transmission functions and can cause system freezes or data corruption on 32-bit systems. Apply the patch immediately through your distribution's kernel update mechanism.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version by running `uname -r` and compare against the affected range (6.14 to 6.19.9)
- Step 2: Verify if tunnel drivers are loaded by executing `lsmod | grep -E '(vxlan|geneve|udp_tunnel)'`
- Step 3: Search system logs for memory corruption or soft lockup errors using `sudo dmesg | grep -i 'BUG\|lockup\|corruption'` and `sudo journalctl -b | grep -i 'kernel panic'`
- Step 4: After patching, confirm the new kernel version with `uname -r` and verify it matches 6.19.10 or later
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-23459?
This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's IP tunnel statistics handling function (iptunnel_xmit_stats), which incorrectly manages per-CPU statistics for VXLAN and Geneve tunnels. The misalignment of synchronization offsets between different statistics structures causes memory corruption or system hangs, particularly on 32-bit architectures.
Is CVE-2026-23459 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not currently listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and no public exploits are available. However, it remains a high-severity issue due to its potential for denial-of-service attacks.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2026-23459?
Linux kernel versions 6.14 through 6.19.9 are vulnerable. Version 6.19.10 and later contain the necessary fixes.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-23459?
Run `uname -r` to display your kernel version. If it falls between 6.14 and 6.19.9, your system is vulnerable. Additionally, check if VXLAN or Geneve tunnel drivers are active with `lsmod | grep -E '(vxlan|geneve)'`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-23459?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-23459 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
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