CVE-2026-64542: ipv6: ndisc: fix NULL deref in accept_untracked_na()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ipv6: ndisc: fix NULL deref in acceptuntrackedna()
acceptuntrackedna() re-fetches the inet6dev with in6devget(dev) and dereferences idev->cnf.acceptuntrackedna without a NULL check, even though its only caller ndiscrecvna() already fetched and NULL-checked idev for the same device.
Both reads of dev->ip6ptr run in the same RCU read-side critical section, but a concurrent addrconfifdown() can clear dev->ip6ptr between them: lowering the MTU below IPV6MINMTU calls addrconfifdown() without the synchronizenet() that orders the unregister path, so the re-fetch returns NULL and oopses:
BUG: KASAN: null-ptr-deref in ndiscrecvna (net/ipv6/ndisc.c:974) Read of size 4 at addr 0000000000000364 Call Trace: <IRQ> ndiscrecvna (net/ipv6/ndisc.c:974) icmpv6rcv (net/ipv6/icmp.c:1193) ip6protocoldeliverrcu (net/ipv6/ip6input.c:479) ip6inputfinish (net/ipv6/ip6input.c:534) ip6input (net/ipv6/ip6input.c:545) ip6mcinput (net/ipv6/ip6input.c:635) ipv6rcv (net/ipv6/ip6input.c:351) </IRQ>
It is reachable by an unprivileged user via a network namespace.
Pass the caller's already validated idev instead of re-fetching it; the idev stays alive for the whole RCU critical section, so it is safe even after dev->ip6ptr has been cleared.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.6.150.1-1
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-64542?
The severity of CVE-2026-64542 is rated as risk 26.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64542?
To fix CVE-2026-64542, ensure you update to the latest version of the Linux kernel that addresses this vulnerability.
What component of the Linux kernel is affected by CVE-2026-64542?
CVE-2026-64542 affects the IPv6 networking stack in the Linux kernel.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-64542?
CVE-2026-64542 is a NULL dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's handling of Neighbor Discovery Protocol.
Who is impacted by CVE-2026-64542?
Users and systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel that utilize IPv6 are impacted by CVE-2026-64542.