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CVE-2026-43088

5.5 · MEDIUM

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: af_key: zero aligned sockaddr tail in PF_KEY exports PF_KEY export paths use `pfkey_sockaddr_size()` when reserving sockad…

Published May 6, 2026EPSS 0.12%

Overview

CVE-2026-43088 is a medium-severity vulnerability. It was published on May 6, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

Technical description

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

net: af_key: zero aligned sockaddr tail in PF_KEY exports

PF_KEY export paths use `pfkey_sockaddr_size()` when reserving sockaddr

payload space, so IPv6 addresses occupy 32 bytes on the wire. However,

`pfkey_sockaddr_fill()` initializes only the first 28 bytes of

`struct sockaddr_in6`, leaving the final 4 aligned bytes uninitialized.

Not every PF_KEY message is affected. The state and policy dump builders

already zero the whole message buffer before filling the sockaddr

payloads. Keep the fix to the export paths that still append aligned

sockaddr payloads with plain `skb_put()`:

- `SADB_ACQUIRE`

- `SADB_X_NAT_T_NEW_MAPPING`

- `SADB_X_MIGRATE`

Fix those paths by clearing only the aligned sockaddr tail after

`pfkey_sockaddr_fill()`.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

References

Refgit.kernel.org/stable/c/11cbf294bac623bd57296f231199193087f57b4aRefgit.kernel.org/stable/c/2e74f974359b5382ecbe8536abbb5b837eb6c724Refgit.kernel.org/stable/c/3c19cb8a84ef709d57943bd6664cf31cb91ba6ecRefgit.kernel.org/stable/c/426c355742f02cf743b347d9d7dbdc1bfbfa31efRefgit.kernel.org/stable/c/edd446ee7cd3d02cac246168063d5b3e9ea68460

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-43088?

CVE-2026-43088 is a medium-severity vulnerability. It was published on May 6, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2026-43088?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2026-43088?

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2026-43088?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2026-43088 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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