CVE-2026-78126: strongSwan 4.1.10 through 6.0.7 allows a NULL pointer dereference in the eap-aka plugin
Affects strongswanSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.9 Medium · fixed in 5.9.5-2ubuntu2.8 : update strongswan when convenient.
Data as of 5 Nov 2026, 23:24 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 41% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.9.5-2ubuntu2.8, 5.9.13-2ubuntu4.24.04.5, 6.0.4-1ubuntu3.2
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 7 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 5 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade the Ubuntu strongswan to 5.9.5-2ubuntu2.8 (package) or 5.9.13-2ubuntu4.24.04.5 (package) or 6.0.4-1ubuntu3.2 (package).
Patches and advisories
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSstrongswanpkg:deb/ubuntu/strongswan?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSstrongswanpkg:deb/ubuntu/strongswan?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSstrongswanpkg:deb/ubuntu/strongswan?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro FIPS-preview 22.04 LTSstrongswanpkg:deb/ubuntu/strongswan?arch=source&distro=fips-preview/jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTSstrongswanpkg:deb/ubuntu/strongswan?arch=source&distro=fips-updates/jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTSstrongswanpkg:deb/ubuntu/strongswan?arch=source&distro=focalOther 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
Official patches addressing this vulnerability are available and should be applied by updating to the fixed strongSwan package versions provided by Ubuntu. The Ubuntu security notice USN-8789-1 contains the relevant update instructions. Applying these updates will mitigate the risk of denial of service caused by this vulnerability.
Description
strongSwan versions 4.1.10 through 6.0.7 contain a vulnerability in the eap-aka plugin where improper handling of AKA-Synchronization-Failure messages can cause a NULL pointer dereference. This results in a denial of service by crashing the strongSwan service. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-78126 with a medium severity rating and a CVSS score of 5.9. Official patches are available for supported Ubuntu releases.