CVE-2026-99999: Linux kernel · ipv4: validate checksum_start before completing checksum
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.3 Critical · fixed in f3e835af6226f1dd12160cbd696081e9b6155de0 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:00 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 55% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation and no public proof of concept
- Automatable
- Attackers cannot reliably automate steps 1–4 of the kill chain
- Technical impact
- Total control over the software or total information disclosure
CISA SSVC assessment, 2026-10-16.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in f3e835af6226f1dd12160cbd696081e9b6155de0, c3e33464746166264334641dc850a36eef7e6326, a464d950f31c89565cbaae038cc60db04fe01956 +5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Oct 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 |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in multiple Linux kernel commits. Users should update to a patched kernel version that includes these fixes. Since this is not a cloud service, manual patching is required. There is no indication that no action is required or that the issue is already mitigated without patching.
Description
A critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel IPv4 stack allows packets with bad checksum metadata to cause corruption of the network header via skb_checksum_help. This flaw was discovered by Paulos and independently reproduced by others. The issue arises from insufficient validation of checksum_start before completing the checksum calculation. A fix has been implemented to add this validation as a defense-in-depth measure, with more comprehensive input validation planned for the future.
Reports on CVE-2026-99999
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a464d950f31c89565cbaae038cc60db04fe01956 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0fab003ef4698e0628060a45a48f14b43ba2a40a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/94524b7b32691de2e2ce162c04d6cbc9106e5cbf (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a65f69e0f38ffbed1b128029e09097436416dc8b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/32a8b0adaa18e52aaa0b246b5ffe683075354dbb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f3e835af6226f1dd12160cbd696081e9b6155de0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c3e33464746166264334641dc850a36eef7e6326 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6785011f8b16abf40b1e9d8b2e332232b3e68822 (opens in a new tab)
- pwn.ai/blog/pwnescape (opens in a new tab)
- vercel.com/blog/findings-from-the-1-million-dollar-vercel-sandbox-challenge (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/15/5 (opens in a new tab)