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

Published May 21, 2026
·
Updated

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.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Linux Linux kernel

Event History

May 21, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:17 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:17 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:16 PM
Description
Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-43501?

The severity of CVE-2026-43501 is rated as 80, indicating a high risk level.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-43501?

To fix CVE-2026-43501, update your Linux kernel to a version that includes the patch addressing this vulnerability.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-43501?

CVE-2026-43501 affects the Linux kernel, particularly configurations that utilize the IPv6 RPL protocol.

4

What impact does CVE-2026-43501 have on network security?

CVE-2026-43501 could potentially allow for header manipulation in IPv6 communications, impacting network security and integrity.

5

When was CVE-2026-43501 published?

CVE-2026-43501 was published on May 21, 2026.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203