CVE-2026-80668: netfilter: nf_conntrack_expect: use conntrack GC to reap expectations
CSIRTS triage
- What
- The netfilter nf_conntrack_expect module does not properly garbage collect connection expectations, leading to memory exhaustion and denial of service.
- Who is affected
- Linux systems running netfilter conntrack expectation tracking, especially under high connection volume.
- Urgency
- High priority; memory exhaustion attack can be triggered to deny service; prompt patching is warranted.
- Action
- Apply kernel security patch promptly when available or reduce conntrack expectation limits.
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
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Details
Original advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-80668
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-2026-806680.38% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 31% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Referenced CVEs
| CVE | CSIRTS overview | External |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-80668 | coverage & exploitation status | NVD · CVE.org |
Same CVEs, other sources
How other CERTs, PSIRTs and databases cover the vulnerabilities in this advisory.
Recent advisories for netfilter
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.
- criticalCVE-2026-80668: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_conntrack_ex…nvd · 2026-08-28
- highCVE-2026-80664: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: xt_nat: reject …nvd · 2026-08-28
- highCVE-2026-80637: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: synproxy: fix u…nvd · 2026-08-28
- unknownCVE-2026-80636: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: conntrack: reve…nvd · 2026-08-28
- criticalCVE-2026-80634: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: flowtable: avoi…nvd · 2026-08-28
- criticalCVE-2026-80603: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_conntrack_ir…nvd · 2026-08-28
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