CVE-2026-53248 net: airoha: Fix use-after-free in metadata dst teardown
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Airoha network driver allows attackers to cause denial of service or execute arbitrary code.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-53248?
CVE-2026-53248 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 25 Jun 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: airoha: Fix use-after-free in metadata dst teardown
airoha_metadata_dst_free() runs metadata_dst_free() which frees the metadata_dst with kfree() immediately, bypassing the RCU grace period. In the RX path, skb_dst_set_noref() sets a non-refcounted pointer from the skb to the metadata_dst. This function requires RCU read-side protection and the dst must remain valid until all RCU readers complete. Since metadata_dst_free() calls kfree() directly, an use-after-free can occur if any skb still holds a noref pointer to the dst when the driver tears it down. Replace metadata_dst_free() with dst_release() which properly goes through the refcount path: when the refcount drops to zero, it schedules the actual free via call_rcu_hurry(), ensuring all RCU readers have completed before the memory is freed.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-53248?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-53248?
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-2026-53248 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-53248 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-53248, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-53248, GHSA-83pq-fmf8-563q, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-53248.