CVE-2026-46163

Out-of-bounds read via unchecked firmware key index

Published May 28, 2026 · Updated May 28, 2026

An out-of-bounds read in the Linux Kernel b43legacy driver allows attackers to trigger invalid kernel access via a firmware-controlled key index. In b43legacy_rx(), B43legacy_WARN_ON does not enforce dev->max_nr_keys in production, so an excessive index still accesses dev->key[]. Reachability requires the b43legacy driver and compatible Broadcom hardware; public sources establish the invalid read but not attacker-visible disclosure or further control.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

An out-of-bounds read in the Linux Kernel b43legacy driver allows attackers to trigger invalid kernel access via a firmware-controlled key index. In b43legacy_rx(), B43legacy_WARN_ON does not enforce dev->max_nr_keys in production, so an excessive index still accesses dev->key[]. Reachability requires the b43legacy driver and compatible Broadcom hardware; public sources establish the invalid read but not attacker-visible disclosure or further control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-46163
Published
May 28, 2026
Updated
May 28, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-129
Attack vector
Unavailable
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 28, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 28, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.6.24
  2. Affected versionversion=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <1baaeb6adecb9691748c0253dab6ddd19a2b4e9e
  3. Affected versionversion=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <6ee946077607d7783ae6709a899213fc4fe08f35
  4. Affected versionversion=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <9d1bc155802943e92c57a5fb923d23edfbf0b525
  5. Affected versionversion=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <a035766f970bde2d4298346a31a80685be5c0205
  6. Affected versionversion=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <fdd4e51979f42ca8b1ab7e6176b607e1caabf2a5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorUnavailable in this record.
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=2.6.24; version=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <1baaeb6adecb9691748c0253dab6ddd19a2b4e9e; version=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <6ee946077607d7783ae6709a899213fc4fe08f35; version=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <9d1bc155802943e92c57a5fb923d23edfbf0b525; version=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <a035766f970bde2d4298346a31a80685be5c0205; version=75388acd0cd827dc1498043daa7d1c760902cd67 <fdd4e51979f42ca8b1ab7e6176b607e1caabf2a5

Published CVSS scores

7.1Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
5.5SUSECVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
VectorUnavailable
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-129Improper Validation of Array Index

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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