CVE-2026-53349: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_conntrack: destroy stale expectfn expectations on unregister NAT helpers such as nf_nat_h323 sto
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netfilter: nf_conntrack: destroy stale expectfn expectations on unregister
NAT helpers such as nf_nat_h323 store a raw pointer to module text in
exp->expectfn (e.g. ip_nat_q931_expect). nf_ct_helper_expectfn_unregister()
only unlinks the callback descriptor and never walks the expectation table,
so an expectation pending at module removal survives with a dangling
exp->expectfn into freed module text.
When the expected connection arrives, init_conntrack() invokes
exp->expectfn(), now a stale pointer into the unloaded module. Reproduced
on a KASAN build by loading the H.323 helpers, creating a Q.931
expectation, unloading nf_nat_h323, then connecting to the expected port:
Oops: int3: 0000 [#1] SMP KASAN NOPTI
RIP: 0010:0xffffffffa06102d1
init_conntrack.isra.0 (net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c:1862)
nf_conntrack_in (net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c:2049)
ipv4_conntrack_local (net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_proto.c:223)
nf_hook_slow (net/netfilter/core.c:619)
__ip_local_out (net/ipv4/ip_output.c:120)
__tcp_transmit_skb (net/ipv4/tcp_output.c:1715)
tcp_connect (net/ipv4/tcp_output.c:4374)
tcp_v4_connect (net/ipv4/tcp_ipv4.c:345)
__sys_connect (net/socket.c:2167)
Modules linked in: nf_conntrack_h323 [last unloaded: nf_nat_h323]
Reaching the dangling state requires CAP_SYS_MODULE in the initial user
namespace to remove a NAT helper that still has live expectations, so this
is a robustness fix; leaving an expectation pointing at freed text is wrong
regardless.
Add nf_ct_helper_expectfn_destroy(), which walks the expectation table and
drops every expectation whose ->expectfn matches the descriptor being torn
down. Call it from each NAT helper's exit path after the existing RCU grace
period, so no expectation outlives the code it points at and no extra
synchronize_rcu() is introduced. With the fix, the same reproducer runs to
completion without the Oops.
Details
Original advisory: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53349
Exploitation outlook
EPSS (FIRST.org) estimates each CVE’s probability of exploitation in the next 30 days — here is the CSIRTS.com read on those numbers.
- Low exploitation riskCVE-2026-533490.16% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 6% of all scored CVEs.
Referenced CVEs
| CVE | CSIRTS overview | External |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-53349 | coverage & exploitation status | NVD · CVE.org |
Same CVEs, other sources
How other CERTs, PSIRTs and databases cover the vulnerabilities in this advisory.
- unknownMultiple vulnerabilities in Debian LTS Linux kernel (July 10, 2026)cert-fr-avis
- unknownMultiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Azure Linux (July 10, 2026)cert-fr-avis
- medium[UPDATE] [medium] Linux Kernel: Multiple vulnerabilitiescert-bund
- mediumCVE-2026-53349: netfilter: nf_conntrack: destroy stale expectfn expectations on unregistermsrc
Recent advisories for In the Linux
A cluster of recent advisories against the same product widens the attack surface — attackers routinely chain freshly published CVEs on one product, so review these together.
- highCVE-2026-53657: Lima launches Linux virtual machines, typically on macOS, for running containerd. Prior to 2.1…nvd · 2026-07-10
- unknownCVE-2026-53363: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: iptfs: preserve shar…nvd · 2026-07-10
- medium[UPDATE] [medium] Linux Kernel: Multiple vulnerabilities allow denial of servicecert-bund · 2026-07-10
- medium[UPDATE] [medium] Linux Kernel: Multiple vulnerabilities allow unspecified attackcert-bund · 2026-07-10
- medium[UPDATE] [medium] Linux Kernel: Multiple vulnerabilities allow denial of servicecert-bund · 2026-07-10
- high[UPDATE] [high] Linux Kernel: Multiple vulnerabilitiescert-bund · 2026-07-10
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