CVE-2026-43421: Linux kernel · usb: gadget: f_ncm: Fix net_device lifecycle with device_move
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-1061.64~22.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- 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 +30
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 8 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?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?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 to affected Linux kernel versions. The fix properly manages the net_device lifecycle using device_move and helper functions to avoid regressions and maintain network interface stability across USB reconnections. Users should update to patched kernel versions as per vendor advisories.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB gadget function (f_ncm) was resolved by fixing the net_device lifecycle management with device_move. The issue caused the network device to outlive its parent gadget device during disconnection, leading to dangling sysfs links and null pointer dereference problems. This fix preserves the network interface across USB reconnections, allowing DHCP servers to maintain their bindings. Multiple attempts to fix this issue were made, with the final solution introducing helpers to manage gadget attachment and detachment properly.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-43421 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43421 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/ec35c1969650e7cb6c8a91020e568ed46e3551b0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/85acaba2f42b557499bab3608307f17bf13beb69 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/93f116c3393a22acab96ad1bef12b2572eb80ca4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e584cb58a2ea7ff4d3a4bc43d5ca512ed3ecb77d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec35c1969650e7cb6c8a91020e568ed46e3551b0 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8567-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8596-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8606-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8607-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8608-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8609-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8619-1 (opens in a new tab)