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CVE Record

CVE-2026-43501: ipv6: rpl: reserve mac_len headroom when recompressed SRH grows

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: rpl: reserve mac_len headroom when recompressed SRH grows ipv6_rpl_srh_rcv() decompresses an RFC 6554 Source Routing Header, swaps the next segment into ipv6_hdr->daddr, recompresses, then pulls the old header and pushes the new one plus the IPv6 header back. The recompressed header can be larger than the received one when the swap reduces the common-prefix length the segments share with daddr (CmprI=0, CmprE>0, seg[0][0] != daddr[0] gives the maximum +8 bytes). pskb_expand_head() was gated on segments_left == 0, so on earlier segments the push consumed unchecked headroom. Once skb_push() leaves fewer than skb->mac_len bytes in front of data, skb_mac_header_rebuild()'s call to: skb_set_mac_header(skb, -skb->mac_len); will store (data - head) - mac_len into the u16 mac_header field, which wraps to ~65530, and the following memmove() writes mac_len bytes ~64KiB past skb->head. A single AF_INET6/SOCK_RAW/IPV6_HDRINCL packet over lo with a two segment type-3 SRH (CmprI=0, CmprE=15) reaches headroom 8 after one pass; KASAN reports a 14-byte OOB write in ipv6_rthdr_rcv. Fix this by expanding the head whenever the remaining room is less than the push size plus mac_len, and request that much extra so the rebuilt MAC header fits afterwards.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux IPv6 RPL routing flaw can let a specially formed packet trigger an out-of-bounds kernel memory write. A successful attack could crash a host or potentially compromise confidentiality and integrity. The supplied record rates it CVSS 9.8, but the demonstrated path uses a raw IPv6 packet over loopback.

Executive priority

Treat as an urgent kernel-patching issue because the documented condition causes memory corruption and carries a critical score. Accelerate assessment on high-value and shared Linux systems. Balance urgency with the incomplete evidence about practical remote reachability and the absence of confirmed active exploitation.

Technical view

During RFC 6554 source-routing-header processing, recompression can enlarge the header by up to eight bytes. Insufficient headroom lets skb_push leave inadequate MAC-header space; a u16 mac_header offset then wraps, and memmove writes roughly 64 KiB beyond skb->head. The fix expands headroom whenever the recompressed header plus mac_len will not fit.

Likely exposure

Exposure applies to affected Linux kernels exercising the IPv6 RPL source-routing-header path. The bundle lists affected kernel versions and multiple stable fixes, but does not fully map every distribution build. Prioritize hosts, appliances, and shared systems where untrusted workloads or traffic can reach this kernel processing path.

Exploitation context

The supplied reproducer reaches a 14-byte out-of-bounds write using one AF_INET6/SOCK_RAW/IPV6_HDRINCL packet over loopback. However, the bundle reports KEV as false and provides no evidence of active exploitation. It also does not establish whether arbitrary remote traffic can reach the demonstrated path in typical deployments.

Researcher notes

The strongest evidence is the detailed kernel failure analysis and stable-branch fixes. The maximum growth occurs when recompression changes the common-prefix relationship, ultimately wrapping mac_header before MAC-header reconstruction. The supplied affected-version data is not sufficiently clear for universal version-range conclusions; distribution-specific advisories should control package determinations.

Mitigation direction

  • Install vendor-supported kernels containing the applicable upstream stable fix.
  • Apply the relevant Red Hat security erratum on affected Red Hat systems.
  • Consult your Linux distributor for exact package status and reboot requirements.
  • Prioritize internet-facing, multi-tenant, and untrusted-workload systems after confirming exposure.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions across Linux hosts and appliances.
  • Compare each distribution package against its vendor advisory or fixed build.
  • Verify the installed kernel incorporates the applicable stable commit.
  • Confirm systems booted into the updated kernel after maintenance.
  • Use approved defensive testing to confirm affected IPv6 RPL processing is no longer vulnerable.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
5

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-131: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-43501 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
1ADP providers
19Source links

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux
7.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.65.9redhat-SADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-43501Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Reported to Red Hat.

  3. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Made public.

  4. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  5. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

redhat-SADPkernel: ipv6: rpl: reserve mac_len headroom when recompressed SRH grows
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z: Made public.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3, 8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3, 8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3, 8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3, 8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3, 8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3, 8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3, 8610c7c6e3bd647ff98d21c8bc0580e77bc2f8b3unaffected
LinuxLinux5.7, 0, 5.10.258, 5.15.209, 6.1.175, 6.6.140, 6.12.86, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-131 · source CWE mapping

Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size

Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.