Linux Kernel up to 7.1.2 batman-adv batadv_tp_update_cwnd divide by zero

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.2. This impacts the function batadv_tp_update_cwnd of the component batman-adv. This manipulation causes divide by zero. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-63836. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.2. Affected by this vulnerability is the function batadv_tp_update_cwnd of the component batman-adv. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a divide by zero vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-369. The product divides a value by zero. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: batman-adv: tp_meter: avoid divide-by-zero for dec_cwnd The cwnd is always MSS <= cwnd <= 0x20000000. But the calculation in batadv_tp_update_cwnd() assumes unsigned 32 bit arithmetics. ((mss * 8) ** 2) / (cwnd * 8) In case cwnd is actually 0x20000000, it will be shifted by 3 bit to the left end up at 0x100000000 or U32_MAX + 1. It will therefore wrap around and be 0 - resulting in: ((mss * 8) ** 2) / 0 This is of course invalid and cannot be calculated. The calculation should must be simplified to avoid this overflow: (mss ** 2) * 8 / cwnd It will keep the precision enhancement from the scaling (by 8) but avoid the overflow in the divisor. In theory, there could still be an overflow in the dividend. It is at the moment fixed to BATADV_TP_PLEN in batadv_tp_recv_ack() - so it is not an imminent problem. But allowing it to use the whole u32 bit range, would mean that it can still use up to 67 bits. To keep this calculation safe for 32 bit arithmetic, mss must never use more than floor((32 - 3) / 2) bits - or in other words: must never be larger than 16383.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-63836 since 07/19/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 07/19/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1499 for this issue.

Upgrading to version 5.10.260, 5.15.211, 6.1.177, 6.6.144, 6.12.95, 6.18.38, 7.1.3 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.10.259
• 5.15.210
• 6.1.176
• 6.6.143
• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
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• 6.12.88
• 6.12.89
• 6.12.90
• 6.12.91
• 6.12.92
• 6.12.93
• 6.12.94
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.18.4
• 6.18.5
• 6.18.6
• 6.18.7
• 6.18.8
• 6.18.9
• 6.18.10
• 6.18.11
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• 6.18.27
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• 6.18.29
• 6.18.30
• 6.18.31
• 6.18.32
• 6.18.33
• 6.18.34
• 6.18.35
• 6.18.36
• 6.18.37
• 7.1.0
• 7.1.1
• 7.1.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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