CVE-2026-43374
HighIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: nexthop: fix percpu use-after-free in remove_nh_grp_entry When removing a nexthop from a group, remove_nh_grp_entry() publishes the new group via rcu_assign_pointer() then immediately frees the removed entry's percpu stats with free_percpu(). However, the synchronize_net() grace period in the caller remove_nexthop_from_groups() runs after the free. RCU readers that entered before the publish still see the old group and can dereference the freed stats via nh_grp_entry_stats_inc() -> get_cpu_ptr(nhge->stats), causing a use-after-free on percpu memory. Fix by deferring the free_percpu() until after synchronize_net() in the caller. Removed entries are chained via nh_list onto a local deferred free list. After the grace period completes and all RCU readers have finished, the percpu stats are safely freed.
CVSS 3.1 score
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-416CVE-2026-43374 is a Use After Free vulnerability
What is Use After Free?
The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
6.9
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.12.78,
6.18.19,
6.19.9,
7.0
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-43374 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e08ad731862b22a87cc55f752e16d66cdc9e231
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ab5ebab9664214ba41a7633cb4e72f128204f924
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/abf4feaee6405f1441929c6ebe7a250f2cd170a7
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-43374?
CVE-2026-43374 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.9 onward and has been patched in 6.12.78, 6.18.19, 6.19.9 and others. CVE-2026-43374 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-43374?
CVE-2026-43374 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-43374?
Yes — CVE-2026-43374 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.78, 6.18.19, 6.19.9 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.9 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-43374 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2026-43374 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?
The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. View CWE-416 on MITRE CWE →