CVE-2026-98573: net: skbuff: fix pull-bound underflow in skb_checksum_setup_ipv6()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: skbuff: fix pull-bound underflow in skbchecksumsetupipv6()
skbmaybepulltail() subtracts skbheadlen(skb) from the unsigned max argument and passes the result to pskbpulltail() as a signed int. The function does not ensure that max is at least skbheadlen(skb).
This can happen while parsing IPv6 extension headers when an skb already has a linear area larger than MAXIPV6HDRLEN. Once the parser needs data beyond the linear area, max - skbheadlen(skb) wraps and is converted to a negative delta. pskbpulltail() then passes that negative length to skbcopybits(), where it can become a very large copy length.
Pass the requested length itself as the pull bound at the three extension-header call sites, so the delta can no longer go negative.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
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Fixed in 6.6.159.1-1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscvto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42.1
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What packet conditions reach the vulnerable path?
The condition occurs while parsing IPv6 extension headers when an skb has a linear area larger than MAX_IPV6_HDR_LEN and the parser subsequently needs data beyond that linear area.
What failure results if the condition is reached?
An unsigned pull-bound calculation can underflow and become a negative signed delta. That value can then reach skb_copy_bits() as a very large copy length.
How can I verify that a kernel source tree includes the fix?
The fix changes the three IPv6 extension-header call sites to pass the requested length itself as the pull bound, preventing a negative delta. The provided stable references are commits 9c4e432132a97b82edf28fa172c39f743e6bfb26, 718747afa5463d9cc5fd9a09f03b2a492edd9b78, and a0ad0473c09d2e947aecac5c82e637ec85924b12.