CVE-2026-97974
Received Received - Intake

Null-ptr dereference in Linux kernel IPv6 routing

Publication date: 2026-09-25

Last updated on: 2026-09-25

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: null-check fib6_node before accessing in __ip6_del_rt_siblings() syzbot reported a null-ptr-deref in __ip6_del_rt_siblings() [0]. The stack trace hinted towards a null dereference of rt->fib6_node when fn->leaf is accessed in __ip6_del_rt_siblings(). With RTNL_FLAG_DOIT_UNLOCKED set, inet6_rtm_delroute() operations run concurrently without acquiring the RTNL lock. In ip6_route_del(), the route lookup happens under rcu_read_lock() without acquiring table->tb6_lock. Between ip6_route_del() looking up the route and __ip6_del_rt_siblings() acquiring table->tb6_lock, another thread can modify the routing table. For example, when an ECMP route is replaced via RTM_NEWROUTE with NLM_F_REPLACE, fib6_add_rt2node() unlinks all old siblings and sets iter->fib6_node = NULL. A reproducer was found that triggers this [1]. Add a check to ensure rt->fib6_node is non-null before accessing it. [0] KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000020-0x0000000000000027] RIP: 0010:__ip6_del_rt_siblings+0x31e/0x7c0 net/ipv6/route.c:4056 Call Trace: <TASK> ip6_route_del+0x1054/0x1110 net/ipv6/route.c:4232 inet6_rtm_delroute+0x5d7/0x6d0 net/ipv6/route.c:5669 rtnetlink_rcv_msg+0x802/0xc00 net/core/rtnetlink.c:7132 netlink_rcv_skb+0x226/0x4a0 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:2556 netlink_unicast_kernel net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1319 [inline] netlink_unicast+0x7f5/0x990 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1345 netlink_sendmsg+0x813/0xb40 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1900 sock_sendmsg_nosec+0x13a/0x180 net/socket.c:800 __sock_sendmsg net/socket.c:815 [inline] ____sys_sendmsg+0x565/0x870 net/socket.c:2713 ___sys_sendmsg+0x2a5/0x360 net/socket.c:2767 __sys_sendmsg net/socket.c:2799 [inline] __do_sys_sendmsg net/socket.c:2804 [inline] __se_sys_sendmsg net/socket.c:2802 [inline] __x64_sys_sendmsg+0x1b7/0x290 net/socket.c:2802 do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:61 [inline] do_syscall_64+0x166/0x520 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:84 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f </TASK> [1] https://gist.github.com/NamanGulati/0766a1159b6ca61928faaf87425ff899

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-25
Last Modified
2026-09-25
Generated
2026-09-25
AI Q&A
2026-09-25
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-97974
EUVD
EUVD-2026-86628

Affected Vendors & Products

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

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Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This is a null-pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's IPv6 routing subsystem. It occurs in the __ip6_del_rt_siblings() function when accessing rt->fib6_node without checking if it is null first. The issue arises due to concurrent modifications of the routing table without proper locking, leading to a crash when the pointer is accessed.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves a null-pointer dereference in the Linux kernel's IPv6 routing code. Detection requires checking for kernel crashes or logs indicating null-ptr-deref in __ip6_del_rt_siblings. Monitor system logs for KASAN reports or kernel oops messages related to IPv6 routing operations.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can cause system crashes or kernel panics on Linux systems using IPv6 routing. An attacker could trigger this by manipulating routing tables, leading to denial-of-service conditions. Systems relying on IPv6 networking are particularly affected.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Linux kernel security patches that address this issue. If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling IPv6 routing operations or restricting concurrent route modifications until the fix is applied.

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