Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

udp_tunnel: fix NULL deref caused by udp_sock_create6 when CONFIG_IPV6=n

When CONFIG_IPV6 is disabled, the udp_sock_create6() function returns 0
(success) without actually creating a socket. Callers such as
fou_create() then proceed to dereference the uninitialized socket
pointer, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference.

The captured NULL deref crash:
BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000018
RIP: 0010:fou_nl_add_doit (net/ipv4/fou_core.c:590 net/ipv4/fou_core.c:764)
[...]
Call Trace:
<TASK>
genl_family_rcv_msg_doit.constprop.0 (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1114)
genl_rcv_msg (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1194 net/netlink/genetlink.c:1209)
[...]
netlink_rcv_skb (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:2550)
genl_rcv (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1219)
netlink_unicast (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1319 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1344)
netlink_sendmsg (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1894)
__sock_sendmsg (net/socket.c:727 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:742 (discriminator 1))
__sys_sendto (./include/linux/file.h:62 (discriminator 1) ./include/linux/file.h:83 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2183 (discriminator 1))
__x64_sys_sendto (net/socket.c:2213 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2209 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2209 (discriminator 1))
do_syscall_64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:63 (discriminator 1) arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94 (discriminator 1))
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe (net/arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:130)

This patch makes udp_sock_create6 return -EPFNOSUPPORT instead, so
callers correctly take their error paths. There is only one caller of
the vulnerable function and only privileged users can trigger it.
Published: 2026-04-03
Score: 5.5 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Kernel Denial of Service
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

The Linux kernel contains a logic flaw in the udp_tunnel subsystem: when IPv6 support is disabled, the function udp_sock_create6 reports success yet does not create a socket. Callers that expect a valid socket, such as fou_create(), subsequently dereference the null value, causing a kernel panic. The flaw does not compromise confidentiality or integrity; it simply crashes the operating system.

Affected Systems

Linux kernel builds that include the fou (IPIP) module with IPv6 support disabled (CONFIG_IPV6=n). The vulnerability is present in all such builds until the patch is applied.

Risk and Exploitability

CVSS base score 5.5 indicates medium severity. EPSS score below 1% suggests low exploitation probability. The flaw requires a privileged user to trigger the failing path, so the primary attack vector is local privilege or a compromised privileged process. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV and no publicly known exploitation has been reported.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 7, 2026 at 10:38 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update the kernel to a version that includes the udp_sock_create6 fix and the subsequent error handling code.
  • Verify that the kernel configuration either enables CONFIG_IPV6 or that the fou module is not loaded to eliminate the vulnerable code path.
  • If an immediate kernel update is not possible, block the use of the fou_create interface by unloading the fou module or adding it to a module blacklist.
  • Keep the system up to date with kernel releases that include the fix and monitor vendor advisories for future updates.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 7, 2026 at 10:38 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-476
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:3.18:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:*

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:15:00 +0000


Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-476

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 01:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-393
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-476

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: udp_tunnel: fix NULL deref caused by udp_sock_create6 when CONFIG_IPV6=n When CONFIG_IPV6 is disabled, the udp_sock_create6() function returns 0 (success) without actually creating a socket. Callers such as fou_create() then proceed to dereference the uninitialized socket pointer, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference. The captured NULL deref crash: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000018 RIP: 0010:fou_nl_add_doit (net/ipv4/fou_core.c:590 net/ipv4/fou_core.c:764) [...] Call Trace: <TASK> genl_family_rcv_msg_doit.constprop.0 (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1114) genl_rcv_msg (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1194 net/netlink/genetlink.c:1209) [...] netlink_rcv_skb (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:2550) genl_rcv (net/netlink/genetlink.c:1219) netlink_unicast (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1319 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1344) netlink_sendmsg (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1894) __sock_sendmsg (net/socket.c:727 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:742 (discriminator 1)) __sys_sendto (./include/linux/file.h:62 (discriminator 1) ./include/linux/file.h:83 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2183 (discriminator 1)) __x64_sys_sendto (net/socket.c:2213 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2209 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2209 (discriminator 1)) do_syscall_64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:63 (discriminator 1) arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94 (discriminator 1)) entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe (net/arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:130) This patch makes udp_sock_create6 return -EPFNOSUPPORT instead, so callers correctly take their error paths. There is only one caller of the vulnerable function and only privileged users can trigger it.
Title udp_tunnel: fix NULL deref caused by udp_sock_create6 when CONFIG_IPV6=n
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-18T08:58:55.464Z

Reserved: 2026-01-13T15:37:46.017Z

Link: CVE-2026-23439

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-04-03T16:16:25.737

Modified: 2026-04-23T20:59:18.080

Link: CVE-2026-23439

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-04-03T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-23439 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-08T19:54:00Z

Weaknesses