Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52 IPv6 Address Configuration regen_count privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$0-$5k0.11+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the component IPv6 Address Configuration. The manipulation of the argument regen_count leads to privileges management. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-97472. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52 and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown code block of the component IPv6 Address Configuration. The manipulation of the argument regen_count with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: addrconf: fix temp address generation after prefix deprecation When a router temporarily deprecates an IPv6 prefix (either by sending a Router Advertisement with Preferred Lifetime = 0 or by letting the lifetime expire) and later restores it, the kernel permanently loses its ability to generate temporary privacy addresses (RFC 8981) for that prefix. This happens because the address worker attempts to generate a replacement temporary address when the current one nears expiration. As the base prefix is deprecated already, the generation fails after marking the temporary address as already having spawned a replacement (ifp->regen_count++). When the router eventually restores the prefix, the temporary address becomes active again. However, once it naturally expires, the address worker sees this temporary address already tried to generate one and skips the regeneration. Fix the issue by resetting the regen_count check of the latest temp address generated for the prefix updated by the incoming RA.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-97472 since 09/24/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. 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 09/24/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 6.12.111 or 6.18.53 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch bff7b87dfa28a1502c18d0c6f1fadda5162fa854/4df5597c65446135362f72880995e8920f058fa0/e20d8922aa8fe441d291364c96c2179a005b79ea is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
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: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
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: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.111/6.18.53
Patch: bff7b87dfa28a1502c18d0c6f1fadda5162fa854/4df5597c65446135362f72880995e8920f058fa0/e20d8922aa8fe441d291364c96c2179a005b79ea

Timelineinfo

09/24/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/24/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-97472 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97472
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-409631

Entryinfo

Created: 09/24/2026 19:47
Changes: 09/24/2026 19:47 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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