CVE-2026-46300·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: skbuff: preserve shared-frag marker during coalescing skb_try_coalesce() can attach paged frags from @from to @to. If @from has SKBFL_SHARED_FRAG set, the resulting @to skb can contain the same externally-owned or page-cache-backed frags, but the shared-frag marker is currently lost. That breaks the invariant relied on by later in-place writers. In particular, ESP input checks skb_has_shared_frag() before deciding whether an uncloned nonlinear skb can skip skb_cow_data(). If TCP receive coalescing has moved shared frags into an unmarked skb, ESP can see skb_has_shared_frag() as false and decrypt in place over page-cache backed frags. Propagate SKBFL_SHARED_FRAG when skb_try_coalesce() transfers paged frags. The tailroom copy path does not need the marker because it copies bytes into @to's linear data rather than transferring frag descriptors.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 7.0.10
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at 2.4% — higher than 84% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Affected versions
From: 6.19
Until: 7.0.10
Fixed in: 7.0.10
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 7.0.10 or later to resolve a critical flaw in network packet coalescing that can expose shared memory fragments to unauthorized access. The vulnerability allows ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) handlers to decrypt data in-place over page-cache backed fragments when the shared-frag marker is improperly lost during TCP receive coalescing. Apply the kernel update immediately and reboot your system to activate the patched version.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-devel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r | awk -F. '{print $1"."$2"."$3}' — compare output against affected range 6.19 to 7.0.9
- Verify skbuff module is loaded: grep -i skbuff /proc/modules — confirms networking stack is active
- Search kernel logs for coalescing-related errors: journalctl -b | grep -i 'skb\|coalesce' — look for warnings about shared fragments
- Confirm fix is applied: uname -r — version should be 7.0.10 or newer; also verify with: grep 'SKBFL_SHARED_FRAG' /boot/config-$(uname -r) to ensure marker preservation is configured
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-46300?
This vulnerability is a flaw in the Linux kernel's network packet handling where the SKBFL_SHARED_FRAG marker is lost during TCP receive coalescing, allowing ESP decryption handlers to incorrectly process shared or page-cache backed memory fragments in-place, potentially leading to data exposure.
Is CVE-2026-46300 being actively exploited?
While not listed as actively exploited by CISA, a public exploit (CVE-2026-46300 PoC) exists on Exploit-DB, making this a high-priority remediation target for systems handling encrypted traffic, particularly those running VPN or IPsec services.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2026-46300?
Linux kernel versions 6.19 through 7.0.9 are vulnerable. The issue has been resolved in kernel 7.0.10 and later stable releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-46300?
Run 'uname -r' and compare the output to the affected range. If your version falls between 6.19 and 7.0.9, your system is vulnerable. You can also check 'cat /proc/version' for a more detailed kernel string.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-46300?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel package is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-46300 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps and patch recommendations.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2f2b16022a2e10ca7bccfb98db5ed2ec0f72641c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3599e6b3cc1ada96883d496a50a210d3afbb6987
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3884358a9286b17f389a72b1426fc4547c23c111
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3bd9e113d50034db99d7ef69fd8e5242d15e414a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/760e1addc27ba1a7beb4a0a7e8b3e9ec49e7a34e
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