Linux Kernel up to 6.6.139/6.12.85/6.18.26/7.0.3 tcp sk_data_ready null pointer dereference

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6.6	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.139/6.12.85/6.18.26/7.0.3. Affected by this vulnerability is the function sk_data_ready of the component tcp. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-46015. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.139/6.12.85/6.18.26/7.0.3. This vulnerability affects the function sk_data_ready of the component tcp. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tcp: call sk_data_ready() after listener migration When inet_csk_listen_stop() migrates an established child socket from a closing listener to another socket in the same SO_REUSEPORT group, the target listener gets a new accept-queue entry via inet_csk_reqsk_queue_add(), but that path never notifies the target listener's waiters. A nonblocking accept() still works because it checks the queue directly, but poll()/epoll_wait() waiters and blocking accept() callers can also remain asleep indefinitely. Call READ_ONCE(nsk->sk_data_ready)(nsk) after a successful migration in inet_csk_listen_stop(). However, after inet_csk_reqsk_queue_add() succeeds, the ref acquired in reuseport_migrate_sock() is effectively transferred to nreq->rsk_listener. Another CPU can then dequeue nreq via accept() or listener shutdown, hit reqsk_put(), and drop that listener ref. Since listeners are SOCK_RCU_FREE, wrap the post-queue_add() dereferences of nsk in rcu_read_lock()/rcu_read_unlock(), which also covers the existing sock_net(nsk) access in that path. The reqsk_timer_handler() path does not need the same changes for two reasons: half-open requests become readable only after the final ACK, where tcp_child_process() already wakes the listener; and once nreq is visible via inet_ehash_insert(), the success path no longer touches nsk directly.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-46015 since 05/13/2026. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 322088 (Amazon Linux 2023 : bpftool, kernel, kernel-devel (ALAS2023-2026-1882)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.140, 6.12.86, 6.18.27, 7.0.4 or 7.1-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ab5fdcd535645f6dbe6e9e21d96a08d141e88b4b/bebd058ef40c67a81fe6d9ee8beaa4ede90e0704/83bb57635d7cbafde32f865b577ecfd969f02337/12625b4da84caf4d84a04988710a7b9bcf702b18/3864c6ba1e041bc75342353a70fa2a2c6f909923 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 vulnerability database at Tenable (322088). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.6.139
• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
• 6.12.7
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• 6.12.79
• 6.12.80
• 6.12.81
• 6.12.82
• 6.12.83
• 6.12.84
• 6.12.85
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.18.4
• 6.18.5
• 6.18.6
• 6.18.7
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• 6.18.20
• 6.18.21
• 6.18.22
• 6.18.23
• 6.18.24
• 6.18.25
• 6.18.26
• 7.0.0
• 7.0.1
• 7.0.2
• 7.0.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector (Linux): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 322088
Nessus Name: Amazon Linux 2023 : bpftool, kernel, kernel-devel (ALAS2023-2026-1882)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.140/6.12.86/6.18.27/7.0.4/7.1-rc1
Patch: ab5fdcd535645f6dbe6e9e21d96a08d141e88b4b/bebd058ef40c67a81fe6d9ee8beaa4ede90e0704/83bb57635d7cbafde32f865b577ecfd969f02337/12625b4da84caf4d84a04988710a7b9bcf702b18/3864c6ba1e041bc75342353a70fa2a2c6f909923

Timelineinfo

05/13/2026 CVE reserved
05/27/2026 +14 days Advisory disclosed
05/27/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/24/2026 +28 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-46015 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-46015
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-366256

Entryinfo

Created: 05/27/2026 17:22
Updated: 06/24/2026 22:50
Changes: 05/27/2026 17:22 (59), 06/16/2026 23:14 (11), 06/24/2026 22:50 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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