CVE-2023-5197: exploitation status and patch state

CVE-2023-5197 · CVSS 7.8 HIGH · EPSS <1%

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter: nf_tables component can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. Addition and removal of rules from chain bindings within the same transaction causes leads to use-after-free. We recommend upgrading past commit f15f29fd4779be8a418b66e9d52979bb6d6c2325.

Is CVE-2023-5197 exploited?

• Not in the CISA KEV catalog.
• EPSS puts exploitation in the next 30 days at <1%.
• Public exploit code: none found in monitored sources.

Which products and versions are affected?

No affected package list recorded here yet.

Is there a patch?

No patch identifier recorded here yet.

What PlainSec published about CVE-2023-5197

• Node Kernel Bugs on GKE COS Nodes Enable Host Escalation (2026-04-15)
• Google Cloud Issues Multiple Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation Fixes for GKE Nodes (2026-04-07)
• Multiple Linux Kernel Flaws Elevate Privileges on GCP Container Nodes (2026-04-03)
• Multiple High-Severity Cloud Vulnerabilities Impact Container Nodes (2026-04-01)

Primary sources

• NVD record

What this record does not say

• No affected package data.
• No patch identifier.

KEV and EPSS are re-checked daily. Record last updated 2026-08-15.