Kernel memory disclosure and crash via unchecked pointers
Published Aug 14, 2026 · Updated Aug 14, 2026
Untrusted pointer dereference in Zephyr RTOS 2.6.0 through 4.4.1 allows local users to read kernel memory or crash the kernel. The z_vrfy_z_log_msg_static_create() verifier passes attacker-controlled source, package, data, and length values into kernel code without K_SYSCALL_* validation, where logging routines dereference or copy from those addresses. Exploitation requires an unprivileged user-mode thread in a build with CONFIG_USERSPACE and CONFIG_LOG; disclosure additionally requires an attacker-observable log backend, while invalid addresses cause a kernel fault.
Summary
What happened
Untrusted pointer dereference in Zephyr RTOS 2.6.0 through 4.4.1 allows local users to read kernel memory or crash the kernel. The z_vrfy_z_log_msg_static_create() verifier passes attacker-controlled source, package, data, and length values into kernel code without K_SYSCALL_* validation, where logging routines dereference or copy from those addresses. Exploitation requires an unprivileged user-mode thread in a build with CONFIG_USERSPACE and CONFIG_LOG; disclosure additionally requires an attacker-observable log backend, while invalid addresses cause a kernel fault.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-12364
- Published
- Aug 14, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 14, 2026
- Vendor
- Zephyr Project
- Product
- Zephyr RTOS
- Classifications
- CWE-822, T1499.004, T1005
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 14, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=2.6.0 <4.4.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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