CVE-2026-43492

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: lib/crypto: mpi: Fix integer underflow in mpi_read_raw_from_sgl() Yiming reports an integer underflow in mpi_read_raw_from_sgl() when subtracting "lzeros" from the unsigned "nbytes". For this to happen, the scatterlist "sgl" needs to occupy more bytes than the "nbytes" parameter and the first "nbytes + 1" bytes of the scatterlist must be zero. Under these conditions, the while loop iterating over the scatterlist will count more zeroes than "nbytes", subtract the number of zeroes from "nbytes" and cause the underflow. When commit 2d4d1eea540b ("lib/mpi: Add mpi sgl helpers") originally introduced the bug, it couldn't be triggered because all callers of mpi_read_raw_from_sgl() passed a scatterlist whose length was equal to "nbytes". However since commit 63ba4d67594a ("KEYS: asymmetric: Use new crypto interface without scatterlists"), the underflow can now actually be triggered. When invoking a KEYCTL_PKEY_ENCRYPT system call with a larger "out_len" than "in_len" and filling the "in" buffer with zeroes, crypto_akcipher_sync_prep() will create an all-zero scatterlist used for both the "src" and "dst" member of struct akcipher_request and thereby fulfil the conditions to trigger the bug: sys_keyctl() keyctl_pkey_e_d_s() asymmetric_key_eds_op() software_key_eds_op() crypto_akcipher_sync_encrypt() crypto_akcipher_sync_prep() crypto_akcipher_encrypt() rsa_enc() mpi_read_raw_from_sgl() To the user this will be visible as a DoS as the kernel spins forever, causing soft lockup splats as a side effect. Fix it.

At a glance

Exploitability

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

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2026-05-19 12:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-10 13:19 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-05-19 12:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-10 13:19 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-190 · Integer overflow

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.10.259
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.210
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.176
• Linux Kernel < 6.6.140
• Linux Kernel < 6.12.88
• Linux Kernel < 6.18.30
• Linux Kernel < 7.0.7

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-2026-43492.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-43492. 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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