Kernel memory corruption via AT response parsing
Published Aug 18, 2026 · Updated Aug 19, 2026
Out-of-bounds write in the HL7800 modem driver in Zephyr RTOS before 4.4.2 allows attackers to corrupt kernel memory via AT responses. Multiple handlers copy modem-supplied fields into 128-byte stack buffers with net_buf_linearize() and then append a NUL at value[out_len], so an exact-length field writes one byte past the buffer; the +KCELLMEAS handler is worse because it uses the unbounded wire length as the destination size and can overflow the stack buffer outright. Exploitation requires control of modem-emitted response lines, such as through a rogue base station, compromised baseband, or injected serial framing, and can cause a crash or, on the +KCELLMEAS path, possible kernel-context code execution.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in the HL7800 modem driver in Zephyr RTOS before 4.4.2 allows attackers to corrupt kernel memory via AT responses. Multiple handlers copy modem-supplied fields into 128-byte stack buffers with net_buf_linearize() and then append a NUL at value[out_len], so an exact-length field writes one byte past the buffer; the +KCELLMEAS handler is worse because it uses the unbounded wire length as the destination size and can overflow the stack buffer outright. Exploitation requires control of modem-emitted response lines, such as through a rogue base station, compromised baseband, or injected serial framing, and can cause a crash or, on the +KCELLMEAS path, possible kernel-context code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-12520
- Published
- Aug 18, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 19, 2026
- Vendor
- Zephyr Project
- Product
- Zephyr RTOS
- Classifications
- CWE-787
- Attack vector
- adjacent
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 19, 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=2.4.0 <4.4.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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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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