CVE-2026-43284: xfrm: esp: avoid in-place decrypt on shared skb frags
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
xfrm: esp: avoid in-place decrypt on shared skb frags
MSG_SPLICE_PAGES can attach pages from a pipe directly to an skb. TCP
marks such skbs with SKBFL_SHARED_FRAG after skb_splice_from_iter(),
so later paths that may modify packet data can first make a private
copy. The IPv4/IPv6 datagram append paths did not set this flag when
splicing pages into UDP skbs.
That leaves an ESP-in-UDP packet made from shared pipe pages looking
like an ordinary uncloned nonlinear skb. ESP input then takes the no-COW
fast path for uncloned skbs without a frag_list and decrypts in place
over data that is not owned privately by the skb.
Mark IPv4/IPv6 datagram splice frags with SKBFL_SHARED_FRAG, matching
TCP. Also make ESP input fall back to skb_cow_data() when the flag is
present, so ESP does not decrypt externally backed frags in place.
Private nonlinear skb frags still use the existing fast path.
This intentionally does not change ESP output. In esp_output_head(),
the path that appends the ESP trailer to existing skb tailroom without
calling skb_cow_data() is not reachable for nonlinear skbs:
skb_tailroom() returns zero when skb->data_len is nonzero, while ESP
tailen is positive. Thus ESP output will either use the separate
destination-frag path or fall back to skb_cow_data().
Security readout for executives and security teams
CVE-2026-43284 is a high-severity Linux kernel memory corruption issue in IPsec ESP-in-UDP handling. A local, low-privileged user may be able to cause sensitive kernel data corruption with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Treat exposed multi-user Linux systems and shared hosting/container hosts as priority patch candidates. Linux systems running affected kernel versions are the primary exposure. Risk is highest where untrusted local users, workloads, containers, or shared accounts can execute code. Exact exposure depends on distribution backports and whether the running kernel includes one of the stable fixes. Prioritize remediation in the next patch cycle for general Linux servers, and expedite for shared or multi-tenant systems. The issue is local, but its potential impact is broad once an attacker has any foothold. Mitigation focus: Apply the relevant Linux kernel stable or distribution security update.; Prioritize shared Linux hosts, container platforms, and multi-user systems.; Check Red Hat or other vendor guidance for backported fixed kernel builds..
Prepared
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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3CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
3ADP providers
54Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: pocAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
3 official scores
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Write-what-where Condition
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