CVE-2026-68119: tcp: initialize standalone TCP-AO response padding

Published Aug 10, 2026
·
Updated

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

1 affected component
Linux Linux kernel

Event History

Aug 10, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·11:58 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·11:58 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:19 PM
Description
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-68119?

CVE-2026-68119 has a risk rating of 15.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-68119?

To fix CVE-2026-68119, update your Linux kernel to the latest version that resolves this vulnerability.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-68119?

CVE-2026-68119 affects systems running the impacted versions of the Linux kernel.

4

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.

5

When was CVE-2026-68119 published?

CVE-2026-68119 was published on August 10, 2026.

Contact

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