Kernel memory corruption via stale IPv6 metadata
Published Aug 22, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026
Out-of-bounds write in the Linux kernel allows remote attackers to corrupt kernel memory through a crafted IPv6 ICMP error packet. In ip6ip6_err(), a cloned outer packet retains a stale Home Address Option offset in skb2->cb after the buffer is pulled to the quoted inner packet, so mip6_addr_swap() reads and writes beyond that inner packet into skb_shared_info. The path requires an IPv6-in-IPv6 tunnel endpoint and CONFIG_IPV6_MIP6; successful exploitation can panic the kernel or corrupt kernel data.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in the Linux kernel allows remote attackers to corrupt kernel memory through a crafted IPv6 ICMP error packet. In ip6ip6_err(), a cloned outer packet retains a stale Home Address Option offset in skb2->cb after the buffer is pulled to the quoted inner packet, so mip6_addr_swap() reads and writes beyond that inner packet into skb_shared_info. The path requires an IPv6-in-IPv6 tunnel endpoint and CONFIG_IPV6_MIP6; successful exploitation can panic the kernel or corrupt kernel data.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-74597
- Published
- Aug 22, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 25, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 22, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 25, 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=2.6.22
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <0dadb0620ab65949a8bc2439dd28ea3c942fe87d
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <44fe898df302e91c5ee5acbc71ffa74e78e6c183
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <484134e1eb07d700a73b1e4bbf3fb503e299be60
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <4eb15c465337b18f44716c499cd6ad63eee0ad54
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <64e41736a26f37ab6215bc2e6df125df05aceb08
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <b6816536a2990c0db44a26130a03e40b441e829b
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <f803c086399da277b5d0ff36a107d0f162751800
- Affected versionversion=e490d1d85cf5e191791979e5f260d32eb4f703a8 <fbf40faa0414b753212494ad197542002e66ed9e
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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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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