CVE-2026-98596

ipv6: Fix dst leak for uncached routes.

Published Oct 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ipv6: Fix dst leak for uncached routes.

ip6_route_output_flags(), ip6_rt_put_flags(), and ip6_dst_check()
detect an uncached route by list_empty(&rt->dst.rt_uncached),
which replaced the static DST_NOCACHE flag check in commit
a4c2fd7f7891 ("net: remove DST_NOCACHE flag").

When a device is unregistered, rt6_uncached_list_flush_dev()
unlinks uncached routes tied to the device from rt6_uncached_list.

Previously, they were moved to another list with list_move()
(__list_del_entry() + list_add()), and since commit 98aa546af5e4
("inet: remove (struct uncached_list)->quarantine"), the routes
are just unlinked with list_del_init().

If list_del_init() runs concurrently, list_empty() evaluates to
true; ip6_route_output_flags() calls dst_hold_safe() incorrectly
and ip6_rt_put_flags() skips ip6_rt_put(), leaking dst, and thus
dev tied via rt->from as well.

The same race is partially fixed by commit 9a6f0c4d5796 ("dst:
fix races in rt6_uncached_list_del() and rt_del_uncached_list()").

Let's check rt6->dst.rt_uncached_list instead.

Note that IPv4 does not have the same issue.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4850-1 linux-6.12 security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-772
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: Fix dst leak for uncached routes. ip6_route_output_flags(), ip6_rt_put_flags(), and ip6_dst_check() detect an uncached route by list_empty(&rt->dst.rt_uncached), which replaced the static DST_NOCACHE flag check in commit a4c2fd7f7891 ("net: remove DST_NOCACHE flag"). When a device is unregistered, rt6_uncached_list_flush_dev() unlinks uncached routes tied to the device from rt6_uncached_list. Previously, they were moved to another list with list_move() (__list_del_entry() + list_add()), and since commit 98aa546af5e4 ("inet: remove (struct uncached_list)->quarantine"), the routes are just unlinked with list_del_init(). If list_del_init() runs concurrently, list_empty() evaluates to true; ip6_route_output_flags() calls dst_hold_safe() incorrectly and ip6_rt_put_flags() skips ip6_rt_put(), leaking dst, and thus dev tied via rt->from as well. The same race is partially fixed by commit 9a6f0c4d5796 ("dst: fix races in rt6_uncached_list_del() and rt_del_uncached_list()"). Let's check rt6->dst.rt_uncached_list instead. Note that IPv4 does not have the same issue.
Title ipv6: Fix dst leak for uncached routes.
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 9:22 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 18, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:19 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 18, 2026, 12:00 AM