CVE-2026-64078 netfilter: x_tables: add and use xtables_unregister_table_exit
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel netfilter subsystem allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges.
- 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-2026-64078?
CVE-2026-64078 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 19 Jul 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: x_tables: add and use xtables_unregister_table_exit
Previous change added xtables_unregister_table_pre_exit to detach the table from the packetpath and to unlink it from the active table list. In case of rmmod, userspace that is doing set/getsockopt for this table will not be able to re-instantiate the table: 1. The larval table has been removed already 2. existing instantiated table is no longer on the xt pernet table list.
This adds the second stage helper:
unlink the table from the dying list, free the hook ops (if any) and do the audit notification. It replaces xt_unregister_table().
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-64078?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64078?
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-2026-64078 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-64078 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as AZL-92763, BELL-CVE-2026-64078, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-64078, GHSA-crf8-9wpw-7jgp, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-64078, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-13-CVE-2026-64078 and 2 more.