CVE-2026-43197: Linux kernel · netconsole: avoid OOB reads, msg is not nul-terminated
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.1 Critical · fixed in 6.17.0-1019.19~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 47% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.17.0-1019.19~24.04.1, 6.17.0-1020.22~24.04.1, 6.17.0-40.40~24.04.1 +11
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 6 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by 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
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| 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 and should be applied by updating to the fixed Linux kernel versions as provided in the Ubuntu security advisory USN-8490-1. After updating, a system reboot is required. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary. Follow the vendor's update instructions carefully.
Description
A critical vulnerability (CVE-2026-43197) in the Linux kernel's netconsole subsystem allows out-of-bounds (OOB) reads due to messages passed to netconsole not being guaranteed to be null-terminated. This flaw was detected by Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) and could lead to system compromise. The issue has been fixed in updated Linux kernel versions.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-43197 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43197 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/82aec772fca2223bc5774bd9af486fd95766e578 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8490-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8491-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8508-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8490-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8545-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8546-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8604-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8605-1 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43197 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3126a2f98beaec5a554a1fb31c46db1e8542665e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/74ab1456eaa3b2eb986138f9e1f4cb37e73b6f58 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/82aec772fca2223bc5774bd9af486fd95766e578 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8fe132c4873f9eb1b86ddbf31216e9d961a0b8b9 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8656-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-5 (opens in a new tab)