CVE-2026-23169 mptcp: fix race in mptcp_pm_nl_flush_addrs_doit()
A race condition in the Linux kernel MPTCP module can cause system crashes, requiring a kernel patch to resolve.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-23169?
CVE-2026-23169 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 14 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mptcp: fix race in mptcp_pm_nl_flush_addrs_doit()
syzbot and Eulgyu Kim reported crashes in mptcp_pm_nl_get_local_id() and/or mptcp_pm_nl_is_backup()
Root cause is list_splice_init() in mptcp_pm_nl_flush_addrs_doit() which is not RCU ready.
list_splice_init_rcu() can not be called here while holding pernet->lock spinlock.
Many thanks to Eulgyu Kim for providing a repro and testing our patches.
Weakness: CWE-362
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-23169?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-23169?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-23169 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-23169 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as AZL-77679, BELL-CVE-2026-23169, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-23169, GHSA-r3f7-9rj4-j5fm, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-23169, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-13-CVE-2026-23169 and 3 more.