CVE-2026-80601 batman-adv: gw: acquire ethernet header only after skb realloc
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's batman-adv module allows attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-80601?
CVE-2026-80601 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 28 Aug 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:
batman-adv: gw: acquire ethernet header only after skb realloc
The pskb_may_pull() called by batadv_get_vid() could reallocate the buffer behind the skb. Variables which were pointing to the old buffer need to be reassigned to avoid an use-after-free.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-80601?
How do I fix CVE-2026-80601?
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-2026-80601 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-80601 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-80601, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-80601, GHSA-xq44-q9x4-cxw9, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-80601.