CVE-2026-23220: linux Infinite Loop

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-23220 is a medium (CVSS 5.5) Infinite Loop vulnerability in linux. EPSS estimates a 0.14% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 2.9% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 18-02-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 02-06-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: fix infinite loop caused by next_smb2_rcv_hdr_off reset in error paths The problem occurs when a signed request fails smb2 signature verification check. In __process_request(), if check_sign_req() returns an error, set_smb2_rsp_status(work, STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED) is called. set_smb2_rsp_status() set work->next_smb2_rcv_hdr_off as zero. By resetting next_smb2_rcv_hdr_off to zero, the pointer to the next command in the chain is lost. Consequently, is_chained_smb2_message() continues to point to the same request header instead of advancing. If the header's NextCommand field is non-zero, the function returns true, causing __handle_ksmbd_work() to repeatedly process the same failed request in an infinite loop. This results in the kernel log being flooded with "bad smb2 signature" messages and high CPU usage. This patch fixes the issue by changing the return value from SERVER_HANDLER_CONTINUE to SERVER_HANDLER_ABORT. This ensures that the processing loop terminates immediately rather than attempting to continue from an invalidated offset.

• CWE-835Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')The product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop.