CVE-2026-43038
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: icmp: clear skb2->cb[] in ip6_err_gen_icmpv6_unreach() Sashiko AI-review observed: In ip6_err_gen_icmpv6_unreach(), the skb is an outer IPv4 ICMP error packet where its cb contains an IPv4 inet_skb_parm. When skb is cloned into skb2 and passed to icmp6_send(), it uses IP6CB(skb2). IP6CB interprets the IPv4 inet_skb_parm as an inet6_skb_parm. The cipso offset in inet_skb_parm.opt directly overlaps with dsthao in inet6_skb_parm at offset 18. If an attacker sends a forged ICMPv4 error with a CIPSO IP option, dsthao would be a non-zero offset. Inside icmp6_send(), mip6_addr_swap() is called and uses ipv6_find_tlv(skb, opt->dsthao, IPV6_TLV_HAO). This would scan the inner, attacker-controlled IPv6 packet starting at that offset, potentially returning a fake TLV without checking if the remaining packet length can hold the full 18-byte struct ipv6_destopt_hao. Could mip6_addr_swap() then perform a 16-byte swap that extends past the end of the packet data into skb_shared_info? Should the cb array also be cleared in ip6_err_gen_icmpv6_unreach() and ip6ip6_err() to prevent this? This patch implements the first suggestion. I am not sure if ip6ip6_err() needs to be changed. A separate patch would be better anyway.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-787 · Out-of-bounds write
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Linux Kernel < 5.10.253
- Linux Kernel < 5.15.203
- Linux Kernel < 6.1.168
- Linux Kernel < 6.6.134
- Linux Kernel < 6.12.81
- Linux Kernel < 6.18.22
- Linux Kernel < 6.19.12
- Linux Kernel 3.13
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.8
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-43038.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-43038. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0452b6526b2f54b2413b9cb4ff1ea2ac542c99c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1ceeebd5bd6d855b17a5df625109bfe29129d7cf
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3d5127d998de617b130aae96b138dba22ac6a8a7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/86ab3e55673a7a49a841838776f1ab18d23a67b5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a2edbb6393972a02114b6003953a5cef3104fada
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a4437faf135da293d16fcc4cc607316742bd0ebb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c438ba010171b70bad22fc18b1d5bdc3627476e8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e41953e7d118e2702bcb217879c173d9d1d3cd4e
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0452b6526b2f54b2413b9cb4ff1ea2ac542c99c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1ceeebd5bd6d855b17a5df625109bfe29129d7cf
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3d5127d998de617b130aae96b138dba22ac6a8a7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/86ab3e55673a7a49a841838776f1ab18d23a67b5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a2edbb6393972a02114b6003953a5cef3104fada
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a4437faf135da293d16fcc4cc607316742bd0ebb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c438ba010171b70bad22fc18b1d5bdc3627476e8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e41953e7d118e2702bcb217879c173d9d1d3cd4e
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22900
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22940
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22964
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:23224
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:23237
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:24343
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25120
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25121
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25533
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26535
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:30129
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:30848
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55618
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55761
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55762
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55763
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55837