PatchSiren

PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-23120 Linux CVE debrief

A data-race vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's l2tp_tunnel_del_work() function. The issue arises when dealing with kernel sockets, where the sk->sk_socket should only be read. This vulnerability has been resolved. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel deployments. Developers and maintainers should assess their exposure, verify vulnerability status, and apply patches or mitigations as needed. The CVE record and source item provide details about the vulnerability, but specific exploitation or impact require verification from official sources. The vulnerability has a medium defensive priority.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
Unknown
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-02-14
Original CVE updated
2026-10-19
Advisory published
2026-02-14
Advisory updated
2026-10-19

Who should care

Linux kernel developers and maintainers, as well as users of the Linux kernel, should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and verify the vulnerability status of their Linux kernel versions.

Why it matters

This vulnerability has a medium defensive priority. Linux kernel developers and maintainers should assess their exposure and verify the vulnerability status of their Linux kernel versions. The vulnerability has been resolved, but specific exploitation or impact require verification from official sources.

  • Data corruption or inconsistencies due to data-races
  • Potential crashes or instability in the Linux kernel
  • Verification of Linux kernel versions and patch application

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's l2tp_tunnel_del_work() function has a data-race vulnerability. The issue occurs when dealing with kernel sockets, where the sk->sk_socket should only be read. This vulnerability has been resolved through several commits. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel deployments and has a medium defensive priority. Developers and maintainers should assess their exposure and verify the vulnerability status of their Linux kernel versions. The CVE record and source item provide details about the vulnerability, including its description and affected versions.

Defensive priority

Medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Review and apply the patch to the Linux kernel
  • Verify the vulnerability status of Linux kernel versions
  • Monitor for potential data-races in l2tp_tunnel_del_work()
  • Perform compensating controls review for exposed systems
  • Conduct asset inventory to identify potentially affected systems
  • Track exceptions and retest remediated assets
  • Review relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets

Evidence notes

The CVE record and source item provide details about the vulnerability, including its description and affected versions. However, the corpus does not establish specific exploitation or impact, and remediation priority requires verification from official sources.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-23120 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23120

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-23120 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-23120

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • l2tp: avoid one data-race in l2tp_tunnel_del_work()

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/main/cves/2026/23xxx/CVE-2026-23120.json

    cve_program_cvelist_v5

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1f63ca44b4f419a1663d94d1bb0b4e2beb73fdb4

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/36c40a80109f1771d59558050b1a71e13c60c759

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eae074dab764ea181bbed5e88626889319177498

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68e92085427c84e7679ddb53c0d68836d220b6e7

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3d6d414b214ce31659bded2f8df50c93a3769474

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/32d417497b79efb403d75f4c185fe6fd9d64b94f

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7a29f6bf60f2590fe5e9c4decb451e19afad2bcf

    Supplemental source

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.