CVE-2026-68119: tcp: initialize standalone TCP-AO response padding
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
tcp: initialize standalone TCP-AO response padding
tcpv4sendack() and tcpv6sendresponse() construct standalone TCP responses with TCP-AO options. The option length carries the actual MAC length, but the TCP header length includes the option rounded up to a four-byte boundary.
tcpaohashhdr() writes the MAC only. Thus, when the MAC length is not four-byte aligned, the one to three bytes after the MAC are left uninitialized and may be transmitted. For the normal TCP-AO hashing mode, those bytes also have to be initialized before computing the MAC.
Initialize only the alignment padding in the TCP-AO branches, before hashing the header. Use TCPOPTNOP, as in the normal TCP-AO output path. This avoids adding work to non-AO TCP responses while preserving a valid authenticated header.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-68119?
CVE-2026-68119 has a risk rating of 15.
How do I fix CVE-2026-68119?
To fix CVE-2026-68119, update your Linux kernel to the latest version that resolves this vulnerability.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-68119?
CVE-2026-68119 affects systems running the impacted versions of the Linux kernel.
What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2026-68119?
The vulnerability involves improper handling of TCP-AO response padding in the Linux kernel.
When was CVE-2026-68119 published?
CVE-2026-68119 was published on August 10, 2026.