CVE-2026-43481
Published: May 13, 2026· Updated: May 13, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net-shapers: don't free reply skb after genlmsg_reply()
genlmsg_reply() hands the reply skb to netlink, and
netlink_unicast() consumes it on all return paths, whether the
skb is queued successfully or freed on an error path.
net_shaper_nl_get_doit() and net_shaper_nl_cap_get_doit()
currently jump to free_msg after genlmsg_reply() fails and call
nlmsg_free(msg), which can hit the same skb twice.
Return the genlmsg_reply() error directly and keep free_msg
only for pre-reply failures.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-43481 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (3)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-43481 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts