CVE-2026-23397: nfnetlink_osf: validate individual option lengths in fingerprints
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nfnetlink_osf: validate individual option lengths in fingerprints
nfnl_osf_add_callback() validates opt_num bounds and string
NUL-termination but does not check individual option length fields.
A zero-length option causes nf_osf_match_one() to enter the option
matching loop even when foptsize sums to zero, which matches packets
with no TCP options where ctx->optp is NULL:
Oops: general protection fault
KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000000-0x0000000000000007]
RIP: 0010:nf_osf_match_one (net/netfilter/nfnetlink_osf.c:98)
Call Trace:
nf_osf_match (net/netfilter/nfnetlink_osf.c:227)
xt_osf_match_packet (net/netfilter/xt_osf.c:32)
ipt_do_table (net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.c:293)
nf_hook_slow (net/netfilter/core.c:623)
ip_local_deliver (net/ipv4/ip_input.c:262)
ip_rcv (net/ipv4/ip_input.c:573)
Additionally, an MSS option (kind=2) with length < 4 causes
out-of-bounds reads when nf_osf_match_one() unconditionally accesses
optp[2] and optp[3] for MSS value extraction. While RFC 9293
section 3.2 specifies that the MSS option is always exactly 4
bytes (Kind=2, Length=4), the check uses "< 4" rather than
"!= 4" because lengths greater than 4 do not cause memory
safety issues -- the buffer is guaranteed to be at least
foptsize bytes by the ctx->optsize == foptsize check.
Reject fingerprints where any option has zero length, or where an MSS
option has length less than 4, at add time rather than trusting these
values in the packet matching hot path.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-23397 is a Linux kernel netfilter flaw in OS fingerprint matching. A malformed fingerprint can make the kernel crash or read past expected TCP option data during packet matching. The public bundle does not provide CVSS, exploit evidence, or required attacker privileges.
Executive priority
Treat as a kernel stability and memory-safety issue with unclear exploitability. Prioritize systems where netfilter OS fingerprinting is enabled or where vendors confirm affected embedded Linux exposure. Do not assume internet-wide urgency without more evidence.
Technical view
nfnetlink_osf accepted fingerprint option records without validating each option length. A zero-length option can drive nf_osf_match_one into a NULL option pointer path; an MSS option shorter than four bytes can cause out-of-bounds reads. Stable kernel commits reject those malformed fingerprints at add time.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems using nfnetlink_osf or xt_osf OS fingerprint matching, including downstream products tracking affected Linux kernels. The bundle lists Linux and Siemens references but does not identify exact deployed Siemens product impact here.
Exploitation context
The bundle reports no CISA KEV listing and no active exploitation evidence. It also does not state whether adding malformed fingerprints requires local privileges, administrative access, or another control path, so attacker reachability remains unclear.
Researcher notes
The root issue is missing per-option validation in nfnl_osf_add_callback, not packet parser acceptance alone. The fix validates stored fingerprint metadata before hot-path matching. Key unknowns are privilege requirements, module availability, distro backports, and practical triggerability in default configurations.
Mitigation direction
Review the referenced Linux stable commits and apply the appropriate vendor kernel update.
Check Siemens advisories if operating Siemens products that embed Linux kernels.
Disable or avoid OS fingerprint matching where it is unnecessary, pending vendor guidance.
Prioritize vendor-supported updates over source-level backports unless you maintain kernels internally.
Validation and detection
Inventory kernels and appliances using nfnetlink_osf or xt_osf OS fingerprint matching.
Confirm whether installed kernel builds include one of the referenced stable fixes.
Review firewall rulesets for xt_osf match usage.
Check vendor advisories for exact affected versions and remediation status.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
11Source links
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CVE reservedCVE Program
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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Mar 26, 2026, 10:22 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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