Linux Kernel: NULL Pointer Dereference (CVE-2026-53337)
Published Last modified Sources: SUSE, Debian LTS, Ubuntu, Siemens ProductCERT, BSI, CVE.org, Msrc Update Guide
What is affected, what to do
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: bonding: fix NULL pointer dereference in bond_do_ioctl() In bond_do_ioctl(), slave_dev is obtained via __dev_get_by_name() which can return NULL if the requested interface name does not exist. However, the subsequent slave_dbg() call is placed before the NULL check: slave_dev = __dev_get_by_name(net, ifr->ifr_slave); slave_dbg(bond_dev, slave_dev, "slave_dev=%p:\n", slave_dev); //here if (!slave_dev) return -ENODEV; The slave_dbg() macro expands to netdev_dbg(bond_dev, "(slave %s): " fmt, (slave_dev)->name, ...) which unconditionally dereferences slave_dev->name before the NULL check is performed.
Update Linux Kernel to version 5.10.259, Linux Kernel to version 5.15.210, Linux Kernel to version 6.1.176.
- Affected
- Linux Kernel
lt 5.3..5.10.259 - Linux Kernel
lt 5.11..5.15.210 - Linux Kernel
lt 5.16..6.1.176 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.2..6.6.143 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.7..6.12.94 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.13..6.18.36 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.19..7.0.13
- Linux Kernel
- Fixed in
- Linux Kernel
5.10.259 - Linux Kernel
5.15.210 - Linux Kernel
6.1.176 - Linux Kernel
6.6.143 - Linux Kernel
6.12.94 - Linux Kernel
6.18.36 - Linux Kernel
7.0.13 - Linux Kernel
7.1
- Linux Kernel
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Metrics
5.5
Priority
XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.
Source: NVD, CVSS v3
5.5
CVSS v3
Severity Medium on the scale from 0 to 10.
Source: SUSE, Debian LTS, Ubuntu, Siemens ProductCERT, BSI, CVE.org, Msrc Update Guide
0.1 %
EPSS score
Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 2.1
Show all metrics
- Severity
- Medium
Priority (0–325)
The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?
Read in glossary- 47.37 Methodology
Exploit maturity
An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.
Read in glossary- no public PoC known
XIEM Effective CVSS
XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command.
Read in glossary- 5.5 Methodology
CVSS v3
CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.
Read in glossary- 5.5
EPSS score
The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.
Read in glossary- 0.1 %
- Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
EPSS percentile
The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.
Read in glossary- 2.1
- Low — this CVE sits in the lower 10% of all CVEs scored today.
KEV status
The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.
Read in glossary- —
- Published
Detection rules
No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.
Classification under NIS2 and CRA
Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.
NIS2
NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.
Read in glossary- Handle the vulnerability in regular vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2.
CRA
The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.
Read in glossary- From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.
Read in glossary- Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: bonding: fix NULL pointer dereference in bond_do_ioctl() In bond_do_ioctl(), slave_dev is obtained via __dev_get_by_name() which can return NULL if the requested interface name does not exist. However, the subsequent slave_dbg() call is placed before the NULL check: slave_dev = __dev_get_by_name(net, ifr->ifr_slave); slave_dbg(bond_dev, slave_dev, "slave_dev=%p:\n", slave_dev); //here if (!slave_dev) return -ENODEV; The slave_dbg() macro expands to netdev_dbg(bond_dev, "(slave %s): " fmt, (slave_dev)->name, ...) which unconditionally dereferences slave_dev->name before the NULL check is performed. This results in a NULL pointer dereference kernel oops when a user calls bonding ioctl (e.g. SIOCBONDENSLAVE, SIOCBONDRELEASE, etc.) with a non-existent slave interface name. This is reachable from userspace via the bonding ioctl interface with CAP_NET_ADMIN capability, making it a potential local denial-of-service vector. Fix by moving the slave_dbg() call after the NULL check.
Source: suse_csaf, Debian LTS Advisories, Ubuntu Security Notices, siemens_advisory, BSI WID Portal, BSI CSAF, NVD (NIST), cvelistv5, Microsoft Security Update Guide
Affected products
The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.
| Affected versions | Fixed in | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux |
|
|
| Siemens | SIMATIC S7 |
|
|
Vendors and products
Affected operating systems
| Linux | debian | linux | bookworm |
| Linux | debian | linux | bullseye |
| Linux | debian | linux-6.1 | bullseye |
| Linux | ubuntu | linux-oracle-7.0 | noble |
| Linux | linux | linux_kernel | 7.1 |
| Linux | linux | linux_kernel | — |
References & sources
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/1b7558c85493467b2ea20738866b822db6442034
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/b02b2e3e876c18733b868a29064abd11cdbf8feb
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/66693957bacd1c9dae6188a7312d6be69a221f2d
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/a629418d463fb50d132a1aa063b0105857311e5f
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/c2cfe290fdb1c32a4f4eb2b8ca3f363b305d21ba
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/bcb8fad90f27300add583a8371db504b766d95c7
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/b0878106ddc486375084145848ff255dedfff46a
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/a764b0e8317a863006e05732e1aefe821b9d8c2d
- Siemens ProductCERTproductcert/html/ssa-784472.html
Changes to this CVE
Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).
Record modifiedLinux
New references:- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b7558c85493467b2ea20738866b822db6442034
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66693957bacd1c9dae6188a7312d6be69a221f2d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a629418d463fb50d132a1aa063b0105857311e5f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a764b0e8317a863006e05732e1aefe821b9d8c2d
and 4 more references
Show 24 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b7558c85493467b2ea20738866b822db6442034Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66693957bacd1c9dae6188a7312d6be69a221f2dReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a629418d463fb50d132a1aa063b0105857311e5fReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a764b0e8317a863006e05732e1aefe821b9d8c2dReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b02b2e3e876c18733b868a29064abd11cdbf8febReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b0878106ddc486375084145848ff255dedfff46aReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcb8fad90f27300add583a8371db504b766d95c7Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2cfe290fdb1c32a4f4eb2b8ca3f363b305d21baReference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b7558c85493467b2ea20738866b822db6442034—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66693957bacd1c9dae6188a7312d6be69a221f2d—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a629418d463fb50d132a1aa063b0105857311e5f—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a764b0e8317a863006e05732e1aefe821b9d8c2d—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b02b2e3e876c18733b868a29064abd11cdbf8feb—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b0878106ddc486375084145848ff255dedfff46a—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcb8fad90f27300add583a8371db504b766d95c7—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2cfe290fdb1c32a4f4eb2b8ca3f363b305d21ba—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b7558c85493467b2ea20738866b822db6442034 Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66693957bacd1c9dae6188a7312d6be69a221f2d Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a629418d463fb50d132a1aa063b0105857311e5f Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a764b0e8317a863006e05732e1aefe821b9d8c2d Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b02b2e3e876c18733b868a29064abd11cdbf8feb Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b0878106ddc486375084145848ff255dedfff46a Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcb8fad90f27300add583a8371db504b766d95c7 Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2cfe290fdb1c32a4f4eb2b8ca3f363b305d21ba Types: Patch—Source identifier: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Record modifiedSiemens ADP
Show 2 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Affected versions (publisher) added —New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/53xxx/CVE-2026-53337.json">CVE-2026-53337</a>Reference added —https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-784472.htmlSource identifier: 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e
Initial analysis by NVDNVD
Newly listed as affected:- Linux Kernel (5.16 – before 6.1.176; 6.2 – before 6.6.143; 5.11 – before 5.15.210; 6.13 – before 6.18.36; 6.7 – before 6.12.94; 6.19 – before 7.0.13; 5.3 – before 5.10.259; 6 individual versions)
CVSS V3.1: AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type: CWE-476
New references:- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b7558c85493467b2ea20738866b822db6442034
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66693957bacd1c9dae6188a7312d6be69a221f2d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a629418d463fb50d132a1aa063b0105857311e5f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a764b0e8317a863006e05732e1aefe821b9d8c2d
and 4 more references
Show 11 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After CVSS added —AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HWeakness type (CWE) added —CWE-476Product configuration added —OR *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 5.16 up to (excluding) 6.1.176 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.2 up to (excluding) 6.6.143 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 5.11 up to (excluding) 5.15.210 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.13 up to (excluding) 6.18.36 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.7 up to (excluding) 6.12.94 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.19 up to (excluding) 7.0.13 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 5.3 up to (excluding) 5.10.259Reference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b7558c85493467b2ea20738866b822db6442034 Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66693957bacd1c9dae6188a7312d6be69a221f2d Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a629418d463fb50d132a1aa063b0105857311e5f Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a764b0e8317a863006e05732e1aefe821b9d8c2d Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b02b2e3e876c18733b868a29064abd11cdbf8feb Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b0878106ddc486375084145848ff255dedfff46a Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcb8fad90f27300add583a8371db504b766d95c7 Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2cfe290fdb1c32a4f4eb2b8ca3f363b305d21ba Types: PatchSource identifier: nvd@nist.gov
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<a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2026-53337"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2026-53337.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2026-53337 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>