Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2 ieee802154 lowpan_newlink null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function lowpan_newlink of the component ieee802154. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-97601. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function lowpan_newlink of the component ieee802154. 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 confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ieee802154: 6lowpan: fix NULL dereference in lowpan_newlink TUNSETLINK allows a TUN device to change its link-layer type to ARPHRD_IEEE802154 without initializing ieee802154_ptr. lowpan_newlink() checks only the device type before dereferencing the pointer, so an RTM_NEWLINK request can trigger a NULL pointer dereference. Reject devices without ieee802154_ptr along with devices of the wrong type.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-97601 since 09/24/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 1c7710af7ad9532b534f1c134c11b04dbe4e0e0f/98ce5a42cde780ee0e40378607d4428c8fc12ec1/8528da2333ce05cf627f93425f9d05efb08b3146/bf79662bc85e820ac3b846e2f347da29fbf6ac95 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-3579). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.5

VulDB Base Score: 4.7
VulDB Temp Score: 4.5
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

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

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 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3
Patch: 1c7710af7ad9532b534f1c134c11b04dbe4e0e0f/98ce5a42cde780ee0e40378607d4428c8fc12ec1/8528da2333ce05cf627f93425f9d05efb08b3146/bf79662bc85e820ac3b846e2f347da29fbf6ac95

Timelineinfo

09/24/2026 CVE reserved
09/25/2026 +1 days Advisory disclosed
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/20/2026 +25 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CNA: Linux
CVE: CVE-2026-97601 (🔒)

GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97601
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-410092
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-3579 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 14:33
Updated: 10/20/2026 22:52
Changes: 09/25/2026 14:33 (59), 10/20/2026 22:52 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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