Linux Kernel up to 6.18.34/7.0.11 Ethtool ethnl_tsinfo_prepare_dump null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.34/7.0.11. It has been rated as problematic. Impacted is the function ethnl_tsinfo_prepare_dump of the component Ethtool. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-63986. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.34/7.0.11. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects the function ethnl_tsinfo_prepare_dump of the component Ethtool. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ethtool: tsinfo: don't pass ERR_PTR to genlmsg_cancel on prepare failure The goto err label leads to: genlmsg_cancel(skb, ehdr); return ret; If ethnl_tsinfo_prepare_dump() failed, it has not started a genlmsg. There's nothing to cancel, and passing an error pointer to genlmsg_cancel() would cause a crash.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-63986 since 07/19/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.18.35 or 7.0.12 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.7

VulDB Base Score: 4.9
VulDB Temp Score: 4.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

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: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.35/7.0.12

Timelineinfo

07/19/2026 Advisory disclosed
07/19/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
07/19/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
07/19/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-63986 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-63986
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-380429

Entryinfo

Created: 07/19/2026 20:25
Changes: 07/19/2026 20:25 (55)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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