CVE-2026-43452
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Buffer Overread in Linux Kernel x_tables

Publication date: 2026-05-08

Last updated on: 2026-05-21

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: x_tables: guard option walkers against 1-byte tail reads When the last byte of options is a non-single-byte option kind, walkers that advance with i += op[i + 1] ? : 1 can read op[i + 1] past the end of the option area. Add an explicit i == optlen - 1 check before dereferencing op[i + 1] in xt_tcpudp and xt_dccp option walkers.
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
Probability:
Percentile:
Meta Information
Published
2026-05-08
Last Modified
2026-05-21
Generated
2026-06-19
AI Q&A
2026-05-08
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-18
NVD
EUVD
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 10 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.130 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.203 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.167 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.19 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.78 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 6.19.9 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 2.6.16 (inc) to 5.10.253 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Quick Actions
Instant insights powered by AI
Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem, specifically in the x_tables module that handles option walkers.

The issue occurs when the last byte of options is a non-single-byte option kind. The code that processes these options advances by using the value of the next byte (op[i + 1]) to determine how far to move forward. However, if this next byte is read past the end of the option area, it results in a 1-byte tail read beyond the valid memory.

The fix involves adding an explicit check to ensure that the index i is not at the last byte (i == optlen - 1) before dereferencing op[i + 1], preventing out-of-bounds reads in the xt_tcpudp and xt_dccp option walkers.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to out-of-bounds memory reads (1-byte tail reads) in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem.

Such out-of-bounds reads may cause system instability, crashes, or potentially expose sensitive kernel memory data, which could be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation.

Chat Assistant
Ask questions about this CVE
Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-43452. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.
0/70
EPSS Chart