8.8High

Linux Linux Kernel

CVE-2026-43284

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().

What this means for your business

  • It affects Linux Kernel. It matters if your company, or a supplier that handles your data, runs it.
  • Code showing how to exploit it has been published, but real attacks have not been confirmed.
  • An attacker can use it only with access to the machine itself, with an ordinary user login, and without anyone at your company clicking anything.
  • FIRST's prediction model gives it a 93% chance of attack attempts being seen in the next 30 days, ranking above 99% of all known flaws.

What to do

  1. 1Check whether your company or your suppliers run Linux Kernel, and which version. The affected versions are listed further down this page.
  2. 2If you do, apply the vendor's fix. A patch or vendor advisory has been published.

Not sure if your company is exposed?

Fastnexa’s certified penetration testers can check whether attackers could use this flaw, or others like it, against your websites, apps and network. The full test is free for our first 10 founding clients until 31 December 2026.

Scoring

CVSS
8.8 (v3.1)
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-123
Assigned by
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

Dates

Published
2026-05-08
Last modified
2026-09-08
Sources
NVD

Affected products

  • Linux Linux Kernel4.11 - 5.10.255, 5.12 - 5.15.205, 5.16 - 6.1.171, 6.2 - 6.6.138, 6.7 - 6.12.87, 6.13 - 6.18.28, 7.0 - 7.0.5

As listed in the NVD configuration data. Not a statement about your estate.

References