CVE-2026-43173

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: ethernet: xscale: Check for PTP support properly In ixp4xx_get_ts_info() ixp46x_ptp_find() is called unconditionally despite this feature only existing on ixp46x, leading to the following splat from tcpdump: root@OpenWrt:~# tcpdump -vv -X -i eth0 (...) Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 00000238 when read (...) Call trace: ptp_clock_index from ixp46x_ptp_find+0x1c/0x38 ixp46x_ptp_find from ixp4xx_get_ts_info+0x4c/0x64 ixp4xx_get_ts_info from __ethtool_get_ts_info+0x90/0x108 __ethtool_get_ts_info from __dev_ethtool+0xa00/0x2648 __dev_ethtool from dev_ethtool+0x160/0x234 dev_ethtool from dev_ioctl+0x2cc/0x460 dev_ioctl from sock_ioctl+0x1ec/0x524 sock_ioctl from sys_ioctl+0x51c/0xa94 sys_ioctl from ret_fast_syscall+0x0/0x44 (...) Segmentation fault Check for ixp46x in ixp46x_ptp_find() before trying to set up PTP to avoid this. To avoid altering the returned error code from ixp4xx_hwtstamp_set() which before this patch was -EOPNOTSUPP, we return -EOPNOTSUPP from ixp4xx_hwtstamp_set() if ixp46x_ptp_find() fails no matter the error code. The helper function ixp46x_ptp_find() helper returns -ENODEV.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-05-06 12:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 10:49 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-05-06 12:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 10:49 UTC

Exploit probability

0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-476 · NULL pointer dereference

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.15.202
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.165
• Linux Kernel < 6.6.128
• Linux Kernel < 6.12.75
• Linux Kernel < 6.18.16
• Linux Kernel < 6.19.6
• Linux Kernel 7.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

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-2026-43173.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-43173. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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