CVE-2026-43374
Published: May 8, 2026· Updated: May 12, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: nexthop: fix percpu use-after-free in remove_nh_grp_entry
When removing a nexthop from a group, remove_nh_grp_entry() publishes
the new group via rcu_assign_pointer() then immediately frees the
removed entry's percpu stats with free_percpu(). However, the
synchronize_net() grace period in the caller remove_nexthop_from_groups()
runs after the free. RCU readers that entered before the publish still
see the old group and can dereference the freed stats via
nh_grp_entry_stats_inc() -> get_cpu_ptr(nhge->stats), causing a
use-after-free on percpu memory.
Fix by deferring the free_percpu() until after synchronize_net() in the
caller. Removed entries are chained via nh_list onto a local deferred
free list. After the grace period completes and all RCU readers have
finished, the percpu stats are safely freed.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-43374 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (4)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-43374 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts