CVE-2026-46024
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Null Pointer Dereference in Linux Kernel Ceph

Publication date: 2026-05-27

Last updated on: 2026-06-16

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: libceph: Prevent potential null-ptr-deref in ceph_handle_auth_reply() If a message of type CEPH_MSG_AUTH_REPLY contains a zero value for both protocol and result, this is currently not treated as an error. In case of ac->negotiating == true and ac->protocol > 0, this leads to setting ac->protocol = 0 and ac->ops = NULL. Thereafter, the check for ac->protocol != protocol returns false, and init_protocol() is not called. Subsequently, ac->ops->handle_reply() is called, which leads to a null pointer dereference, because ac->ops is still NULL. This patch changes the check for ac->protocol != protocol to !ac->protocol, as this also includes the case when the protocol was set to zero in the message. This causes the message to be treated as containing a bad auth protocol.
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
Probability:
Percentile:
Meta Information
Published
2026-05-27
Last Modified
2026-06-16
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-05-27
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-46024
EUVD
EUVD-2026-32405
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 13 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel 2.6.34
linux linux_kernel 2.6.34
linux linux_kernel 2.6.34
linux linux_kernel 2.6.34
linux linux_kernel 2.6.34
linux linux_kernel 2.6.34
linux linux_kernel 2.6.34
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.86 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.175 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.140 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.27 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 7.0.4 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 2.6.34.1 (inc) to 5.15.209 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-476 The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Quick Actions
Instant insights powered by AI
Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's libceph component, specifically in the function ceph_handle_auth_reply().

When a message of type CEPH_MSG_AUTH_REPLY contains zero values for both protocol and result, it is not treated as an error. Under certain conditions, this causes the protocol to be set to zero and the operations pointer (ac->ops) to be set to NULL.

Later, the code attempts to call a function through this NULL pointer, leading to a null pointer dereference, which can cause a crash or other unintended behavior.

The fix changes the check to properly detect when the protocol is zero and treat the message as containing a bad authentication protocol, preventing the null pointer dereference.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to a null pointer dereference in the Linux kernel's Ceph authentication handling code.

Such a null pointer dereference can cause the affected system or service to crash or become unstable, potentially leading to denial of service.

Chat Assistant
Ask questions about this CVE
Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-46024. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.
0/70
EPSS Chart