CVE-2026-43233
Published: May 6, 2026· Updated: May 12, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netfilter: nf_conntrack_h323: fix OOB read in decode_choice()
In decode_choice(), the boundary check before get_len() uses the
variable `len`, which is still 0 from its initialization at the top of
the function:
unsigned int type, ext, len = 0;
...
if (ext || (son->attr & OPEN)) {
BYTE_ALIGN(bs);
if (nf_h323_error_boundary(bs, len, 0)) /* len is 0 here */
return H323_ERROR_BOUND;
len = get_len(bs); /* OOB read */
When the bitstream is exactly consumed (bs->cur == bs->end), the check
nf_h323_error_boundary(bs, 0, 0) evaluates to (bs->cur + 0 > bs->end),
which is false. The subsequent get_len() call then dereferences
*bs->cur++, reading 1 byte past the end of the buffer. If that byte
has bit 7 set, get_len() reads a second byte as well.
This can be triggered remotely by sending a crafted Q.931 SETUP message
with a User-User Information Element containing exactly 2 bytes of
PER-encoded data ({0x08, 0x00}) to port 1720 through a firewall with
the nf_conntrack_h323 helper active. The decoder fully consumes the
PER buffer before reaching this code path, resulting in a 1-2 byte
heap-buffer-overflow read confirmed by AddressSanitizer.
Fix this by checking for 2 bytes (the maximum that get_len() may read)
instead of the uninitialized `len`. This matches the pattern used at
every other get_len() call site in the same file, where the caller
checks for 2 bytes of available data before calling get_len().
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-43233 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.
A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.2.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (8)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-43233 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts