CVE-2026-53233 netdev: fix double-free in netdev_nl_bind_rx_doit()
A double-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netdev module allows local attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially execute code.
- 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-2026-53233?
CVE-2026-53233 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 25 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:
netdev: fix double-free in netdev_nl_bind_rx_doit()
Sashiko flags that genlmsg_reply() always consumes the skb. The error path calls nlmsg_free(rsp) so we can't jump directly to it. Let's not unbind, just propagate the error to the user. This is the typical way of handling genlmsg_reply() failures. They shouldn't happen unless user does something silly like calling the kernel with an already-full rcvbuf.
Weakness: CWE-415
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-53233?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-53233?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-53233 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-53233 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-53233, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-53233, GHSA-wr67-pp59-29qp, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-53233.