CVE-2026-7656: Broken IPv6 Neighbor Discovery input validation allows spoofed RA/NS/NA acceptance in Zephyr net stack

Published Jun 29, 2026
·
Updated

The IPv6 Neighbor Discovery handlers in subsys/net/ip/ipv6nbr.c (handlerainput, handlensinput, handlenainput) used an incorrect boolean expression that combined the RFC 4861 validity checks with the ICMPv6 code check using the wrong operator precedence: the form was ((length/hop/source/target checks) && (icmphdr->code != 0)). Because every legitimate ND message carries ICMPv6 code 0, an attacker setting code == 0 (the normal value) caused the entire predicate to evaluate false, so the packet was never dropped and all of the other checks were silently skipped. The bypassed checks include the mandatory Hop Limit == 255 verification (which proves an ND packet originated on-link and was not forwarded) and, for Router Advertisements, the requirement that the source be a link-local address, as well as multicast-target sanity checks. As a result, an adjacent on-link attacker — and, because the Hop-Limit-255 guard is bypassed, potentially a remote/off-link attacker whose packets would otherwise be rejected — can have forged Router Advertisement, Neighbor Solicitation, and Neighbor Advertisement messages accepted. A forged RA lets the attacker reconfigure the victim's default router, on-link prefixes (SLAAC), MTU, reachable/retransmit timers, and (with CONFIGNETIPV6RARDNSS) DNS servers, while forged NS/NA enable neighbor-cache poisoning, enabling man-in-the-middle, traffic redirection, and denial of service. The flaw is an input-validation/authentication weakness rather than a memory-safety issue: the underlying packet-parsing primitives (netpktgetdata, netpktread, netpktskip) are independently bounds-safe and the validated length is the true buffer length, so skipping the length check causes no out-of-bounds access. The defect has existed since the logic was introduced in 2018 and shipped in all releases through v4.4.0; it is fixed by splitting the condition so any failing check drops the packet.

Affected Software

2 affected components
Zephyr net stack>2018.0.0<=4.4.0
zephyrproject zephyr<=4.4.1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Zephyr net stack to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in v4.4.0
  2. Configuration

    Fix the incorrect boolean expression/operator precedence in handle_ra_input, handle_ns_input, and handle_na_input by splitting the condition so that any failing length/hop/source/target checks drop the packet; do not combine them with the ICMPv6 code check using the wrong precedence (the buggy form was ((length/hop/source/target checks) && (icmp_hdr->code != 0))). Ensure the Hop Limit == 255 verification and (for RAs) link-local source requirement are enforced for acceptance.

    Zephyr subsys/net/ip/ipv6_nbr.c IPv6 Neighbor Discovery input validation predicate (handle_ra_input/handle_ns_input/handle_na_input) = Drop packet if any mandatory RFC 4861 validity check fails

Event History

Jun 29, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:09 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:09 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-7656?

CVE-2026-7656 has a high severity rating of 8.1.

2

What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2026-7656?

CVE-2026-7656 is a broken input validation vulnerability in the IPv6 Neighbor Discovery handlers of the Zephyr net stack.

3

What impact does CVE-2026-7656 have?

CVE-2026-7656 allows spoofed Router Advertisements, Neighbor Solicitation, and Neighbor Advertisements to be accepted.

4

How can I mitigate CVE-2026-7656?

To mitigate CVE-2026-7656, ensure that you are using the patched version of the Zephyr net stack that addresses this vulnerability.

5

Which software is affected by CVE-2026-7656?

CVE-2026-7656 affects the Zephyr net stack.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203