CVE-2026-19673
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Buffer Overflow in Zephyr RTOS Ethernet Stack

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-19673, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-10-14

Last updated on: 2026-10-16

Assigner: Zephyr Project

Description

ethernet_recv() in subsys/net/l2/ethernet/ethernet.c validates only that the first net_buf of a received frame holds a plain 14-byte struct net_eth_hdr. When the ethertype is 0x8100 and VLAN is enabled on the interface, the same buffer is reinterpreted as the 18-byte struct net_eth_vlan_hdr without re-checking the length: the VLAN TCI and the inner ethertype are read from offsets 14..17, past pkt->buffer->len, and hdr_len is raised to 18 so the subsequent net_buf_pull() removes more bytes than the buffer holds. A single unauthenticated frame of 14 to 17 bytes carrying the VLAN ethertype triggers this. No knowledge of the node's VLAN configuration is needed: net_eth_get_vlan_iface() returns the base interface for the priority tag 0, and a broadcast destination address satisfies the "frame is for me" test, so a 16-byte broadcast frame with ethertype 0x8100 and TCI 0x0000 reaches the pull. Nothing in the receive path enforces the 60-byte Ethernet minimum β€” the USB CDC ECM and CDC NCM gadget classes in particular hand host-supplied frames of any non-zero length straight to net_recv_data(). With assertions enabled, net_buf_simple_pull() asserts and the node panics. In a production build (assertions and CONFIG_NET_BUF_HARDENING off) the uint16_t buffer length underflows to 65534 and buf->data is advanced past the end of the fragment's storage, so every later parser reads far outside the buffer and any net_buf_add() on that fragment computes tailroom from the underflowed length. The result is a reliable remote denial of service and out-of-bounds access with information-disclosure and corruption potential. Only configurations built with CONFIG_NET_VLAN=y that have a VLAN enabled on the receiving Ethernet interface, and whose MAC does not strip VLAN tags in hardware (ETHERNET_HW_VLAN_TAG_STRIP), are affected. The fix rejects the frame before the tag is read, so hdr_len is thereafter either 14 or 18 with both sizes validated against pkt->buffer->len.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-10-14
Last Modified
2026-10-16
Generated
2026-10-19
AI Q&A
2026-10-15
EPSS Evaluated
2026-10-18
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
zephyrproject zephyr 1.12.0

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-125 The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability affects the Zephyr RTOS Ethernet layer. When a frame with a VLAN ethertype (0x8100) is received, the code incorrectly assumes the buffer contains an 18-byte VLAN header without validating the buffer length first. For frames between 14-17 bytes, this causes the code to read past the buffer's end, leading to buffer overflow or system panic.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability affects Zephyr RTOS systems with VLAN enabled on the receiving Ethernet interface and no hardware VLAN tag stripping. Monitor for system crashes or panics when processing Ethernet frames. Use network tools like tcpdump to capture frames with VLAN ethertype 0x8100 and lengths between 14-17 bytes. Check Zephyr RTOS logs for buffer overflow or underflow errors.

Impact Analysis

An attacker can send a maliciously crafted 14-17 byte frame with a VLAN ethertype to trigger this issue. This may cause a denial of service via system panic or buffer underflow, potentially leading to memory corruption or information disclosure. Systems with VLAN enabled and hardware not stripping VLAN tags are affected.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could impact compliance with GDPR and HIPAA by enabling remote denial of service, out-of-bounds memory access, and potential information disclosure. Such disruptions may violate data integrity and availability requirements under these regulations, particularly for systems handling sensitive data.

Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade Zephyr RTOS to version 4.5.0 or later. Disable VLAN on affected Ethernet interfaces if not required. Apply the patch from the Zephyr GitHub commit fd3c6fedf6b639977a80e52b680b15672c31f3ef. Monitor network traffic for suspicious frames and block VLAN-tagged frames from untrusted sources.

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