CVE-2026-52970 netfilter: nft_ct: fix missing expect put in obj eval
A missing reference count decrement in the Linux kernel netfilter module can lead to memory leaks and potential denial of service.
- 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-2026-52970?
CVE-2026-52970 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 24 Jun 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:
netfilter: nft_ct: fix missing expect put in obj eval
nft_ct_expect_obj_eval() allocates an expectation and may call nf_ct_expect_related(), but never drops its local reference.
Add nf_ct_expect_put(exp) before return to balance allocation.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-52970?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-52970?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-52970 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-52970 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-52970, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-52970, GHSA-qg9v-j962-8x98, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2026-52970, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-52970, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2026-52970 and 2 more.