CVE-2026-23398
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel. A remote attacker could trigger a kernel panic, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS), by sending a specially crafted Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Fragmentation Needed error. This occurs when the system is configured for hardened Path Maximum Transmission Unit (PMTU) discovery mode and the ICMP error contains an inner IP header with an unregistered protocol number, causing a null pointer dereference.
Statement
This vulnerability requires the non-default kernel configuration ip_no_pmtu_disc=3 (hardened PMTU mode). Systems using the default PMTU discovery settings are not affected. While the attack is remotely triggerable via crafted ICMP packets, the specific configuration requirement significantly reduces the attack surface in typical deployments.
Mitigation
Ensure ip_no_pmtu_disc is not set to 3. Check with: sysctl net.ipv4.ip_no_pmtu_disc. Values 0, 1, or 2 are not affected. If using value 3, consider temporarily switching to value 1 until a kernel update is applied.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.2 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | N/A |
| Privileges Required | None | Low | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | None | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | N/A |
| Confidentiality | None | None | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | High | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
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