Linux Kernel: 2 flaws used in attacks; attackers can knock it offline
OFFICIAL NAMES: Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability · Linux Kernel Unspecified Vulnerability
WHAT IT IS · COMPUTERS, PHONES AND BROWSERSIt runs on staff computers, phones or browsers.
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TECHNICAL SUMMARY Linux Kernel contains an out-of-bounds memory write vulnerability which could allow a local user to gain privileged access or cause a denial of service on the system.
WHY THIS VERDICT Attacks are confirmed. The vulnerability is 114 days old, so current versions are being attacked. Ready-made attack tools are public.
- HIGHEST CONFIRMED RUNG
- EXPLOITED
- CISA KEV
- LISTED
- EXPLOIT CODE
- READY TO USE
How far has it climbed?
01 TALK
□ NO EVIDENCE YETNEWEST EVIDENCE NONE YETNo evidence yet.
SRC: NONE YET02 EXPOSED
□ NOT TRACKED YETNO SOURCE FOR THIS STEP YETWe have no source that counts exposed systems yet. Internet scan data needs a partnership we do not have. No evidence here does not mean nothing is exposed.
03 TRIED
■ CONFIRMEDNEWEST EVIDENCE · 2 INDEPENDENT SOURCESAttacks that worked are confirmed (step 4), so attempts count as confirmed too.
- SRC: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities: Linux Kernel Unspecified Vulnerability · AUG 26
- SRC: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities: Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability · AUG 25
- SRC: CVE List V5 and CISA Vulnrichment: CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2026-53362 as actively exploited · JUL 4
- SRC: CVE List V5 and CISA Vulnrichment: CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2022-0995 as actively exploited · MAR 25
04 EXPLOITED
■ CONFIRMEDNEWEST EVIDENCE · 2 INDEPENDENT SOURCESLinux Kernel contains an unspecified vulnerability that can allow for privilege escalation via IPv6 networking subsystem. This vulnerability can impact multiple products, including but not limited to Suse, Red Hat, and other products using Linux. Linux Kernel contains an out-of-bounds memory write vulnerability which could allow a local user to gain privileged access or cause a denial of service on the system.
- SRC: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities: Linux Kernel Unspecified Vulnerability · AUG 26
- SRC: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities: Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability · AUG 25
- SRC: CVE List V5 and CISA Vulnrichment: CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2026-53362 as actively exploited · JUL 4
- SRC: CVE List V5 and CISA Vulnrichment: CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2022-0995 as actively exploited · MAR 25
05 DAMAGE
□ NOT TRACKED YETNO SOURCE FOR THIS STEP YETBreach notices and filings rarely name the flaw that was used, so we cannot link them to this event yet. No evidence here does not mean no harm.
When each thing happened
- DISCLOSED
- EXPLOIT CODE PUBLICDATE UNKNOWN
- FIRST ATTACK REPORT
- CISA KEV LISTING
- US FEDERAL DEADLINE
THE FIX
CISA's instruction: apply the vendor's fix, or stop using the product if no fix exists. The deadline CISA set for US federal agencies, Aug 29, 2026, has passed. It is a US government deadline; use it as a guide.
Questions to ask this week
- Do we run Linux Kernel? If yes, is it patched or cut off from the internet?
- Who owns fixing it, and by what date?
- Have we checked for signs of attack since the first report, not just since the patch?
How it unfolded
- MAR 13, 2022Metasploit exploit module: Watch Queue Out of Bounds Write
- Attack activity. MAR 25, 2022CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2022-0995 as actively exploited
- JUL 3, 20261 public GitHub repository claims a proof of concept for CVE-2026-53362
- Attack activity. JUL 4, 2026CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2026-53362 as actively exploited
- Attack activity. AUG 25, 2026Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability
- Attack activity. AUG 26, 2026Linux Kernel Unspecified Vulnerability
SOURCES
- [1] CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities: Linux Kernel Unspecified Vulnerability, AUG 26
- [2] CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities: Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability, AUG 25
- [3] CVE List V5 and CISA Vulnrichment: CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2026-53362 as actively exploited, JUL 4
- [4] PoC-in-GitHub: 1 public GitHub repository claims a proof of concept for CVE-2026-53362, JUL 3
- [5] CVE List V5 and CISA Vulnrichment: CISA Vulnrichment marks CVE-2022-0995 as actively exploited, MAR 25
- [6] Metasploit module metadata: Metasploit exploit module: Watch Queue Out of Bounds Write, MAR 13