SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Live Feed
Back to database
Case File

CVE-2026-74688

CRITICAL · CVSS 9.8 EPSS 0.50%

Source: NVD + CISA KEV + EPSS · Published 2026-08-22 · Last synced 2026-09-17

CyberRota Analysis

AI-Generated

The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) implementation, where a use-after-free condition can occur due to a dangling transport pointer in queued control chunks. This can lead to potential denial-of-service attacks or arbitrary code execution when the queued chunk is later processed. Organizations using Linux systems that rely on SCTP should prioritize applying the fix to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

CVE
CVE-2026-74688
Severity
CRITICAL
CVSS
9.8
EPSS
0.50%
Linux

Original NVD Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: clear control chunk transport if it is being removed sctp_make_heartbeat_ack() caches the destination transport in chunk->transport without taking a reference. When src_out_of_asoc_ok is enabled, the HEARTBEAT ACK may remain queued on control_chunk_list instead of being transmitted immediately. If the peer transport is removed while the chunk is still queued, sctp_assoc_rm_peer() drops the transport and schedules it for RCU freeing, but only clears cached transport pointers in out_chunk_list. The queued control chunk therefore retains a dangling transport pointer. Once an ASCONF_ACK clears the suppression and the queued control chunk is transmitted, SCTP dereferences the stale transport pointer, leading to a use-after-free. Fix this by also clearing chunk->transport for queued control chunks in control_chunk_list when removing the transport.