Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc4 arp dev_hard_header initialization

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc4. It has been classified as critical. This issue affects the function dev_hard_header of the component arp. The manipulation leads to initialization. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-22988. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc4 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function dev_hard_header of the component arp. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a initialization vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-665. The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource, which might leave the resource in an unexpected state when it is accessed or used. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arp: do not assume dev_hard_header() does not change skb->head arp_create() is the only dev_hard_header() caller making assumption about skb->head being unchanged. A recent commit broke this assumption. Initialize @arp pointer after dev_hard_header() call.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-22988 since 01/13/2026. The exploitation is known to be difficult. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 05/18/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 296408 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-22988), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.161, 6.6.121, 6.12.66, 6.18.6, 6.19-rc4 or 6.19-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e432dbff342b95fe44645f9a90fcf333c80f4b5e/393525dee5c39acff8d6705275d7fcaabcfb7f0a/70bddc16491ef4681f3569b3a2c80309a3edcdd1/dd6ccec088adff4bdf33e2b2dd102df20a7128fa/949647e7771a4a01963fe953a96d81fba7acecf3/c92510f5e3f82ba11c95991824a41e59a9c5ed81 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (296408) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0215). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.9

VulDB Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Temp Score: 4.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Initialization
CWE: CWE-665
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 296408
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-22988

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.161/6.6.121/6.12.66/6.18.6/6.19-rc4/6.19-rc5
Patch: e432dbff342b95fe44645f9a90fcf333c80f4b5e/393525dee5c39acff8d6705275d7fcaabcfb7f0a/70bddc16491ef4681f3569b3a2c80309a3edcdd1/dd6ccec088adff4bdf33e2b2dd102df20a7128fa/949647e7771a4a01963fe953a96d81fba7acecf3/c92510f5e3f82ba11c95991824a41e59a9c5ed81

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
01/23/2026 +10 days Advisory disclosed
01/23/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/18/2026 +115 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-22988 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-22988
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-342599
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0215 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 01/23/2026 17:31
Updated: 05/18/2026 03:45
Changes: 01/23/2026 17:31 (59), 01/24/2026 11:38 (2), 02/26/2026 20:20 (11), 03/20/2026 09:56 (7), 05/18/2026 03:45 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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