Kernel memory disclosure and corruption via unset header
Published Aug 22, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026
Out-of-bounds access in the Linux kernel allows local users to read or corrupt kernel memory through AF_PACKET transmission. packet_parse_headers leaves skb->mac_header unset before the PACKET_QDISC_BYPASS path calls dev_direct_xmit, causing transmit drivers to dereference memory about 64 KiB beyond the buffer head. The path requires CAP_NET_RAW, PACKET_QDISC_BYPASS, and a transmit driver that reads the unset header; user and network namespaces commonly grant the capability.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds access in the Linux kernel allows local users to read or corrupt kernel memory through AF_PACKET transmission. packet_parse_headers leaves skb->mac_header unset before the PACKET_QDISC_BYPASS path calls dev_direct_xmit, causing transmit drivers to dereference memory about 64 KiB beyond the buffer head. The path requires CAP_NET_RAW, PACKET_QDISC_BYPASS, and a transmit driver that reads the unset header; user and network namespaces commonly grant the capability.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-74667
- Published
- Aug 22, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 25, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1499
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
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=5.1
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <1e43a1d66615f411d427f9df1f46dd049d9e3681
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <2610ed4e86a4590234a9d70518c469751c5af231
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <284f3e7a3f1a743fdf89e304fd1f19d5ffcff46d
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <4057853a91fb796c4f47c7d1baf1aa085394148e
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <971aa7d99242bbf09513e27b7a243f0b29ff23ae
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <b47ba8fe6e1d2df8c92048de5afafd059447dc30
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <c2707480cfbf19c7619acc9c089d17f20869821f
- Affected versionversion=75c65772c3d18447d62d3aca5f91b06c16cc25e4 <fdd4d7d52358a58e351dd9d82530c04eba8ccd7a
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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