SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
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Case File

CVE-2026-72019

HIGH · CVSS 7.3 EPSS 0.17%

Source: NVD + CISA KEV + EPSS · Published 2026-08-15 · Last synced 2026-09-14

CyberRota Analysis

AI-Generated

The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's macsec implementation, specifically in the macsec_encrypt() function, where an unset MAC header can lead to an out-of-bounds read of 12 bytes from the heap. This flaw may result in the exposure of sensitive data through the transmission of incorrect source/destination MAC addresses, posing a risk to network integrity. Organizations using Linux systems with macsec enabled should prioritize addressing this issue to mitigate potential data leakage and ensure secure communications.

CVE
CVE-2026-72019
Severity
HIGH
CVSS
7.3
EPSS
0.17%
Linux

Original NVD Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: macsec: don't read an unset MAC header in macsec_encrypt() macsec_encrypt() reads the Ethernet header via eth_hdr(skb) (skb->head + skb->mac_header) to memmove() the 12 source/destination MAC bytes forward and make room for the SecTAG. On the AF_PACKET SOCK_RAW + PACKET_QDISC_BYPASS transmit path the skb reaches the macsec ndo_start_xmit() with the MAC header unset, so eth_hdr(skb) resolves to skb->head + (u16)~0 and the read is out of bounds: a 12-byte heap over-read that is also emitted on the wire as the frame's outer source/destination MAC. KASAN reports a slab-out-of-bounds read in macsec_start_xmit() on 6.0; on current mainline a CONFIG_DEBUG_NET build flags it as an unset mac header in skb_mac_header(). On the TX path the L2 header is at skb->data, so use skb_eth_hdr(), added by commit 96cc4b69581d ("macvlan: do not assume mac_header is set in macvlan_broadcast()") for exactly this purpose.