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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-43185: Linux kernel · ksmbd: fix signededness bug in smb_direct_prepare_negotiation()

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0
Authoritative record:CVE-2026-43185· Critical 9.8

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1111.121~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
9.8Critical
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.8% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 57% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Patch
Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1111.121~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1106.112~20.04.1, 6.17.0-40.40~24.04.1 +1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 6 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 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?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@6.17.0-1019.19?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@6.17.0-1020.20?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@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.17.0-1003.3 – 6.17.0-1017.17
10 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-1006.6 – 6.17.0-1020.22
17 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

A patch is available from the vendor. Ubuntu has released updated Linux kernel packages that fix this vulnerability. Users should apply the standard system updates and reboot to ensure the fixes take effect. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be required. Follow the vendor advisory instructions for updating to the fixed kernel versions. No additional mitigations are indicated beyond applying the official patches.

Description

A critical vulnerability (CVE-2026-43185) in the Linux kernel's ksmbd component was fixed. The flaw involved a signedness bug in the smb_direct_prepare_negotiation() function where unsigned values were cast to signed integers incorrectly, leading to a heap buffer overflow when a malicious preferred_send_size value was used. This vulnerability allows an attacker to cause memory corruption by sending crafted SMB messages. The issue has been addressed by changing the type used in the comparison to unsigned. Multiple Linux kernel versions, including hardware enablement (HWE) kernels for Ubuntu, are affected. A patch is available and should be applied promptly. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating critical severity.

References

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