CVE-2026-53287
MediumCVSS 5.5Exploitation Probability (EPSS)
Low risk2th percentile — higher than 2% of all known CVEs
Summary
A copy-paste error in the Linux kernel's audit_log_capset() function causes CAPSET audit records to report the effective capability set in the inheritable field instead of the actual inheritable set. This bug has been present since 2008.
Risk Assessment
The organization may receive corrupted audit data regarding process capabilities, hindering detection of privilege escalation attempts and violating compliance requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, ISO 27001). An attacker can modify inheritable capabilities without leaving a trace in the audit trail.
Recommendation
Immediately update the Linux kernel to a version containing the fix (commit correcting the bug in audit_log_capset). After the update, verify the correctness of CAPSET records in audit logs.
Original NVD description (English source)
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: audit: fix incorrect inheritable capability in CAPSET records __audit_log_capset() records the effective capability set into the inheritable field due to a copy-paste error. Every CAPSET audit record therefore reports cap_pi (process inheritable) with the value of cap_effective instead of cap_inheritable. This silently corrupts audit data used for compliance and forensic analysis: an attacker who modifies inheritable capabilities to prepare for a privilege-escalating exec would have the change masked in the audit trail. The bug has been present since the original introduction of CAPSET audit records in 2008.