---
id: CVE-2026-45860
title: >-
  kernel: netfilter: nf_conncount: increase the connection clean up limit to 64
  (CVE-2026-45860)
summary: >-
  A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's netfilter connection counting
  (nf_conncount) feature. This vulnerability occurs when the system tracks more
  than eight new connections per jiffy, causing the connection list to not be
  cleaned up effic…
severity: high
cvss: 7
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cvssSource: vendor
cwe: CWE-770
vendor: Red Hat
product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10)
affected:
  - 10base_smtv
  - enterprise_linux_appstream_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_baseos_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_codeready_linux_builder_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_hidden_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_for_nfv_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_v_10
patched:
  - 10base_smtv
  - enterprise_linux_appstream_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_baseos_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_codeready_linux_builder_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_hidden_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_for_nfv_v_10
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_v_10
published: '2026-05-27'
updated: '2026-10-26'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-26T09:37:04+00:00'
source: CSAF
sourceUrl: 'https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-45860.json'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-45860.json
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-45860'
  - url: 'https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2482115'
  - url: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-45860'
  - url: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45860'
  - url: >-
      https://lore.kernel.org/linux-cve-announce/2026052710-CVE-2026-45860-d52c@gregkh/T
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:76738'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a5c9e14e0e8923218ae881d5e78c990c07694966'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/13eede458fdf231f1bf96a398feea4ad1553f14c'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fa85432d58c8e74b39333edbf8d28df2985dfc79'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0792ad077d776c2dcf20f0484e2461ded1b77a24'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3d0994ed0aa1fc0a2c5e620b765e8defdd021bff'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e5fa7add3e76da068a478d905be64be8fa4e80a'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0af0812baf2d363176c9b76fc07e33f13aede8db'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21d033e472735ecec677f1ae46d6740b5e47a4f3'
tags:
  - csaf
  - vex
  - red-hat
  - cve.org
epss: 0.00745
epssPercentile: 0.54582
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'yes'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-10-16T15:18:08.249735Z'
scores:
  vendor: 7
  cna: 7.5
ingestedAt: '2026-10-16T17:24:46.698Z'
---

## Overview

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's netfilter connection counting (nf_conncount) feature. This vulnerability occurs when the system tracks more than eight new connections per jiffy, causing the connection list to not be cleaned up efficiently. A remote attacker could exploit this by rapidly establishing connections, leading the system to incorrectly believe it has reached its connection limit. This can result in a denial of service, preventing legitimate users from establishing new connections.

## Vendor advisories

- **RHSA-2026:76738** · Red Hat · fixed in: 10Base-SMTV, Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10), Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10), Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10), Red Hat Enterprise Linux Hidden (v. 10), Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10), … · released 2026-10-08 · [advisory](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:76738)

**kernel: netfilter: nf_conncount: increase the connection clean up limit to 64** — rated Moderate by Red Hat. Released 2026-05-27, updated 2026-10-26.

Fixed:

- 10Base-SMTV
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Hidden (v. 10)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10)

Not affected:

- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9

## Remediation

For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to:

https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258

The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect.

Red Hat recommends treating all kernel errata as security-relevant. Given the kernel's fundamental role, any bug has a higher chance of impacting system security, even if that impact only becomes clear after a fix is published. Therefore, Red Hat prioritizes delivering fixes that improve our customers' overall security posture.

Because of this proactive approach, a patch may be associa… https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:76738