CVE-2026-43441
Published: May 8, 2026· Updated: May 12, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: bonding: Fix nd_tbl NULL dereference when IPv6 is disabled
When booting with the 'ipv6.disable=1' parameter, the nd_tbl is never
initialized because inet6_init() exits before ndisc_init() is called
which initializes it. If bonding ARP/NS validation is enabled, an IPv6
NS/NA packet received on a slave can reach bond_validate_na(), which
calls bond_has_this_ip6(). That path calls ipv6_chk_addr() and can
crash in __ipv6_chk_addr_and_flags().
BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 00000000000005d8
Oops: Oops: 0000 [#1] SMP NOPTI
RIP: 0010:__ipv6_chk_addr_and_flags+0x69/0x170
Call Trace:
<IRQ>
ipv6_chk_addr+0x1f/0x30
bond_validate_na+0x12e/0x1d0 [bonding]
? __pfx_bond_handle_frame+0x10/0x10 [bonding]
bond_rcv_validate+0x1a0/0x450 [bonding]
bond_handle_frame+0x5e/0x290 [bonding]
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
__netif_receive_skb_core.constprop.0+0x3e8/0xe50
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
? update_cfs_rq_load_avg+0x1a/0x240
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
? __enqueue_entity+0x5e/0x240
__netif_receive_skb_one_core+0x39/0xa0
process_backlog+0x9c/0x150
__napi_poll+0x30/0x200
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
net_rx_action+0x338/0x3b0
handle_softirqs+0xc9/0x2a0
do_softirq+0x42/0x60
</IRQ>
<TASK>
__local_bh_enable_ip+0x62/0x70
__dev_queue_xmit+0x2d3/0x1000
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
? packet_parse_headers+0x10a/0x1a0
packet_sendmsg+0x10da/0x1700
? kick_pool+0x5f/0x140
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
? __queue_work+0x12d/0x4f0
__sys_sendto+0x1f3/0x220
__x64_sys_sendto+0x24/0x30
do_syscall_64+0x101/0xf80
? exc_page_fault+0x6e/0x170
? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f
</TASK>
Fix this by checking ipv6_mod_enabled() before dispatching IPv6 packets to
bond_na_rcv(). If IPv6 is disabled, return early from bond_rcv_validate()
and avoid the path to ipv6_chk_addr().
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-43441 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 7.5.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (6)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-43441 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts