Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2 hinic check_mbox_seq_id_and_seg_len heap-based overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k0.17+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. This affects the function check_mbox_seq_id_and_seg_len of the component hinic. The manipulation results in heap-based overflow. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-97957. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. Affected is the function check_mbox_seq_id_and_seg_len of the component hinic. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a heap-based overflow vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-122. A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc(). This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: hinic: fix mailbox segment buffer overflow check_mbox_seq_id_and_seg_len() validates that seq_id does not exceed SEQ_ID_MAX_VAL (42) and seg_len does not exceed MBOX_SEG_LEN (48). However, this allows the last segment (seq_id=42) to carry a full 48-byte payload, writing to offset 42*48=2016 for 48 bytes (ending at byte 2064). The receive buffer is only MBOX_MAX_BUF_SZ (2048) bytes, resulting in a 16-byte heap buffer overflow. The hinic3 driver already handles this correctly by defining MBOX_LAST_SEG_MAX_LEN and rejecting the last segment when it exceeds the remaining buffer space. Apply the same fix to the hinic driver.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-97957 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/25/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch eca54a092d5f7b497b458ff5a6f66d4f7bfb6674/9f6ad383901d0cb1c8ea5f7f3160fabfe1540eb5/513f7b16ed0cffae9348151c72bed17c7073096f/5d4d985957434867bbe85e4fa5e638f3e48ad522 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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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
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: Heap-based overflow
CWE: CWE-122 / CWE-119
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 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3
Patch: eca54a092d5f7b497b458ff5a6f66d4f7bfb6674/9f6ad383901d0cb1c8ea5f7f3160fabfe1540eb5/513f7b16ed0cffae9348151c72bed17c7073096f/5d4d985957434867bbe85e4fa5e638f3e48ad522

Timelineinfo

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

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-97957 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97957
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-410214

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 15:44
Changes: 09/25/2026 15:44 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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