CVE-2026-74287
Received Received - Intake

SCTP Parameter Length Validation Flaw in Linux Kernel

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-74287, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-08-15

Last updated on: 2026-08-15

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: validate embedded address parameter length sctp_verify_asconf() and sctp_verify_param() only validate ADD_IP, DEL_IP, and SET_PRIMARY parameters against a fixed minimum size of sizeof(struct sctp_addip_param) + sizeof(struct sctp_paramhdr). This ensures the outer parameter is large enough to contain an embedded address parameter header, but does not verify that the embedded address parameter's declared length fits within the bounds of the outer parameter. Later, sctp_process_param() and sctp_process_asconf_param() extract the embedded address parameter and pass it to af->from_addr_param(), which uses the address parameter length to parse the variable-length address payload. A malformed peer can therefore advertise an embedded address parameter length that exceeds the remaining bytes in the enclosing parameter. Validate that addr_param->p.length does not exceed the space available after the sctp_addip_param header before processing the embedded address parameter. Reject malformed parameters when the embedded address length extends beyond the enclosing parameter bounds. This prevents out-of-bounds reads when parsing malformed parameters carried in INIT or ASCONF processing paths.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-15
Last Modified
2026-08-15
Generated
2026-08-15
AI Q&A
2026-08-15
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *

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 improper validation of embedded address parameters in SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) messages. The functions sctp_verify_asconf() and sctp_verify_param() check the size of certain parameters but fail to ensure the embedded address parameter's length fits within the outer parameter. This allows a malicious peer to craft a parameter with an address length exceeding the available space, leading to out-of-bounds reads during processing.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's SCTP implementation. Detection requires checking kernel versions and SCTP module behavior. Use commands like 'uname -a' to check kernel version and 'lsmod | grep sctp' to verify SCTP module loading. Monitor network traffic for malformed SCTP INIT or ASCONF packets using tools like Wireshark with SCTP protocol dissection.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by crashing the system or trigger arbitrary code execution if they can send specially crafted SCTP messages to a vulnerable Linux kernel. Systems using SCTP for network communication, especially those exposed to untrusted networks, are at risk.

Mitigation Strategies

Immediately update the Linux kernel to a patched version that includes the fix for CVE-2026-74287. If immediate kernel update is not possible, disable the SCTP module using 'modprobe -r sctp' and block SCTP traffic at the network perimeter until patched.

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