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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-43025: Linux kernel · netfilter: ctnetlink: ignore explicit helper on new expectations

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0
Authoritative record:CVE-2026-43025· High 7.3

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.3 High · fixed in 6.8.0-1061.64~22.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
7.3High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Patch
Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1061.64~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1063.71~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1062.69~22.04.1 +31
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 1 May 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • 7.0.0-1003.3 – 7.0.0-1008.8
4 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-nvidiapkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-nvidia?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1006.6
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1006.6
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-15.15 – 6.17.0-40.40
20 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-1005.5 – 6.17.0-1019.19
17 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-1004.4 – 6.17.0-1020.20
16 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.17.0-1003.3 – 6.17.0-1017.17
10 affected builds
Fixed in–

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

AI-suggested

An official patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The fix involves ignoring explicit helpers other than the master conntrack helper for new expectations, preventing the out-of-bounds read. Users should update their Linux kernel to a patched version as provided by their distribution vendors. No additional mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.

Description

A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter ctnetlink subsystem allowed improper handling of explicit helpers on new expectations, leading to a kernel memory out-of-bounds read. This flaw was fixed by ignoring user-supplied helpers other than the existing master conntrack helper, simplifying validation and preventing memory corruption. The issue was identified through a kernel address sanitizer (KASAN) slab-out-of-bounds error. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.3, indicating a medium severity level with high confidentiality impact and high availability impact. Multiple specific Linux kernel versions are affected. A patch is available to address this issue.

References

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