CVE-2026-99191
Received Received - Intake

Integer Overflow in Linux Kernel CALIPSO Networking

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-99191, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-10-28

Last updated on: 2026-10-28

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: calipso: keep BIG TCP payload_len in calipso_skbuff_setattr() calipso_skbuff_setattr() adjusts payload_len by the length of the option it inserts or resizes: payload = ntohs(ip6_hdr->payload_len); ip6_hdr->payload_len = htons(payload + len_delta); GRO can build BIG TCP packets larger than IPV6_MAXPLEN, and stores payload_len == 0 for them; ipv6_payload_len() then falls back to skb->len. For such a packet forwarded to a destination mapped to CALIPSO, the code above writes len_delta (or 65536 + len_delta when shrinking) into payload_len, and ipv6_payload_len() no longer falls back to skb->len. nf_tables, conntrack and sch_cake rely on it. The same arithmetic also wraps when a packet grows past IPV6_MAXPLEN, and a BIG TCP packet that shrinks below IPV6_MAXPLEN should get its real length back. Set payload_len from the skb length with ipv6_set_payload_len(), which stores 0 above IPV6_MAXPLEN and the real length otherwise, as ipv6_gro_complete() does. The network header was just reset to skb->data, so skb->len - sizeof(*ip6_hdr) is the payload length. Tested on one kernel (arm64, QEMU) with SELinux permissive, a minimal mdp-generated policy (network_peer_controls=1), "netlabelctl calipso add pass doi:16" and a NetLabel mapping of fd00:2::/64 to CALIPSO DOI 16. calipso_skbuff_setattr() was called through netlbl_skbuff_setattr() from a test-only debugfs hook (not part of this patch) adding a level-only label; payload_len after the call: case before fix after fix real length 1000, unlabeled 1016 1016 1016 70000 GSO, payload_len 0 16 0 70016 65530 GSO, grows past MAXPLEN 10 0 65546 65540 GSO with a 24 byte hop header, shrinks below MAXPLEN 65528 65532 65532 1000 with a 24 byte hop header 992 992 992 (0 means ipv6_payload_len() returns the real length.) On the forward path, with a client injecting unlabeled UDP through a router to a server, the router adds the CALIPSO option and the server delivers all datagrams (Udp6InDatagrams 5, Ip6InTruncatedPkts 0) with this patch.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-10-28
Last Modified
2026-10-28
Generated
2026-10-28
AI Q&A
2026-10-28
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 4 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
Linux Linux 81fbc812132cbc72a0f933b19bfd3a829bd946e4
Linux Linux 81fbc812132cbc72a0f933b19bfd3a829bd946e4
Linux Linux 81fbc812132cbc72a0f933b19bfd3a829bd946e4
Linux Linux 5.19

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves incorrect handling of BIG TCP packets in the CALIPSO network security module. The issue occurs when calipso_skbuff_setattr() adjusts the payload length by adding or subtracting the length of inserted or resized options. For BIG TCP packets larger than IPV6_MAXPLEN, the payload length is incorrectly modified, causing network functions like nf_tables, conntrack, and sch_cake to rely on incorrect length values. This can lead to packet processing errors or security bypasses.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's handling of BIG TCP packets with CALIPSO labels. Detection requires checking kernel logs for malformed IPv6 packets or CALIPSO-related errors. Monitor for payload_len inconsistencies in IPv6 packets using tools like tcpdump or Wireshark to inspect packet headers. Look for packets with payload_len values that do not match the actual payload size.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass network security controls or disrupt network traffic by manipulating BIG TCP packets. Systems using CALIPSO for network labeling may experience incorrect packet handling, leading to data leaks, service disruptions, or unauthorized access. The impact depends on the system's configuration and whether CALIPSO is actively used.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the kernel patch that fixes the calipso_skbuff_setattr() function to correctly handle BIG TCP payload_len. Update to a patched kernel version. If immediate patching is not possible, restrict BIG TCP traffic or disable CALIPSO labeling temporarily until the fix is applied.

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