Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.67/6.18.7/6.19-rc6 crypto crypto_authenc_esn_decrypt null pointer dereference

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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.67/6.18.7/6.19-rc6. The affected element is the function crypto_authenc_esn_decrypt of the component crypto. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-23060. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.67/6.18.7/6.19-rc6. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function crypto_authenc_esn_decrypt of the component crypto. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: authencesn - reject too-short AAD (assoclen<8) to match ESP/ESN spec authencesn assumes an ESP/ESN-formatted AAD. When assoclen is shorter than the minimum expected length, crypto_authenc_esn_decrypt() can advance past the end of the destination scatterlist and trigger a NULL pointer dereference in scatterwalk_map_and_copy(), leading to a kernel panic (DoS). Add a minimum AAD length check to fail fast on invalid inputs.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-23060 since 01/13/2026. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 297871 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23060), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.122, 6.12.68, 6.18.8 or 6.19-rc7 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b0a9609283a5c852addb513dafa655c61eebc1ef/161bdc90fce25bd9890adc67fa1c8563a7acbf40/9532ff0d0e90ff78a214299f594ab9bac81defe4/2397e9264676be7794f8f7f1e9763d90bd3c7335 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 (297871) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0324). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

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Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
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: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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: 297871
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23060

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.122/6.12.68/6.18.8/6.19-rc7
Patch: b0a9609283a5c852addb513dafa655c61eebc1ef/161bdc90fce25bd9890adc67fa1c8563a7acbf40/9532ff0d0e90ff78a214299f594ab9bac81defe4/2397e9264676be7794f8f7f1e9763d90bd3c7335

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
02/04/2026 +22 days Advisory disclosed
02/04/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
04/30/2026 +85 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23060 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23060
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-344328
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0324 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/04/2026 18:19
Updated: 04/30/2026 08:26
Changes: 02/04/2026 18:19 (59), 02/06/2026 06:55 (7), 02/08/2026 11:50 (2), 03/13/2026 22:54 (11), 04/30/2026 08:26 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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