CVE-2026-23439: udp_tunnel: fix NULL deref caused by udp_sock_create6 when CONFIG_IPV6=n

Published Apr 3, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

udptunnel: fix NULL deref caused by udpsockcreate6 when CONFIGIPV6=n

When CONFIGIPV6 is disabled, the udpsockcreate6() function returns 0 (success) without actually creating a socket. Callers such as foucreate() then proceed to dereference the uninitialized socket pointer, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference.

The captured NULL deref crash: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000018 RIP: 0010:founladddoit (net/ipv4/foucore.c:590 net/ipv4/foucore.c:764) [...] Call Trace: <TASK> genlfamilyrcvmsgdoit.constprop.0 (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1114) genlrcvmsg (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1194 net/netlink/genetlink.c:1209) [...] netlinkrcvskb (net/netlink/afnetlink.c:2550) genlrcv (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1219) netlinkunicast (net/netlink/afnetlink.c:1319 net/netlink/afnetlink.c:1344) netlinksendmsg (net/netlink/afnetlink.c:1894) socksendmsg (net/socket.c:727 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:742 (discriminator 1)) syssendto (./include/linux/file.h:62 (discriminator 1) ./include/linux/file.h:83 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2183 (discriminator 1)) x64syssendto (net/socket.c:2213 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2209 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2209 (discriminator 1)) dosyscall64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall64.c:63 (discriminator 1) arch/x86/entry/syscall64.c:94 (discriminator 1)) entrySYSCALL64afterhwframe (net/arch/x86/entry/entry64.S:130)

This patch makes udpsockcreate6 return -EPFNOSUPPORT instead, so callers correctly take their error paths. There is only one caller of the vulnerable function and only privileged users can trigger it.

Affected Software

16 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=3.18.1<5.10.253
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.203
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.167
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.130
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.78
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.20
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<6.19.10
Linux Linux kernel=3.18
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc5
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc6
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc7

Event History

Apr 3, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:15 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:15 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-23439?

The severity of CVE-2026-23439 is classified as medium with a CVSS score of 5.5.

2

What kind of vulnerability is associated with CVE-2026-23439?

CVE-2026-23439 is categorized as a Null Pointer Dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

3

How can I mitigate CVE-2026-23439?

Mitigating CVE-2026-23439 involves ensuring that CONFIG_IPV6 is enabled in the Linux kernel configuration.

4

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-23439?

CVE-2026-23439 affects the Linux kernel builds where CONFIG_IPV6 is disabled.

5

What impact does CVE-2026-23439 have on Linux kernel functionality?

CVE-2026-23439 can lead to a NULL dereference and potential denial of service when certain UDP tunnel functionalities are invoked.

Contact

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