CVE-2026-43027: netfilter: nf_conntrack_helper: pass helper to expect cleanup

Published May 1, 2026
·
Updated

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

netfilter: nfconntrackhelper: pass helper to expect cleanup

nfconntrackhelperunregister() calls nfctexpectiteratedestroy() to remove expectations belonging to the helper being unregistered. However, it passes NULL instead of the helper pointer as the data argument, so expectiterme() never matches any expectation and all of them survive the cleanup.

After unregister returns, nfnlcthelperdel() frees the helper object immediately. Subsequent expectation dumps or packet-driven initconntrack() calls then dereference the freed exp->helper, causing a use-after-free.

Pass the actual helper pointer so expectations referencing it are properly destroyed before the helper object is freed.

BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in string+0x38f/0x430 Read of size 1 at addr ffff888003b14d20 by task poc/103 Call Trace: string+0x38f/0x430 vsnprintf+0x3cc/0x1170 seqprintf+0x17a/0x240 expseqshow+0x2e5/0x560 seqreaditer+0x419/0x1280 procregread+0x1ac/0x270 vfsread+0x179/0x930 ksysread+0xef/0x1c0 Freed by task 103: The buggy address is located 32 bytes inside of freed 192-byte region [ffff888003b14d00, ffff888003b14dc0)

Affected Software

14 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=4.14<5.10.253
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.203
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.168
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.134
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.81
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.22
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<6.19.12
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

Event History

May 1, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:15 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:15 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·03:02 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-43027?

CVE-2026-43027 is considered a medium severity vulnerability due to its potential impact on the kernel's networking stack.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-43027?

To mitigate CVE-2026-43027, update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been resolved.

3

What does CVE-2026-43027 affect?

CVE-2026-43027 affects the Linux kernel's netfilter component, particularly the nf_conntrack_helper functionality.

4

Can CVE-2026-43027 be exploited?

Yes, if unpatched, CVE-2026-43027 can be exploited to affect the stability and security of the affected systems.

5

When was CVE-2026-43027 disclosed?

CVE-2026-43027 was disclosed as part of an update addressing vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel.

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