CVE-2026-64046·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: tls: prevent chain-after-chain in plain text SG Sashiko points out that if end = 0 (start != 0) the current code will create a chain link to content type right after the wrap link: This would create a chain where the wrap link points directly to another chain link. The scatterlist API sg_next iterator does not recursively resolve consecutive chain links. meaning this is illegal input to crypto. The wrapping link is unnecessary if end = 0. end is the entry after the last one used so end = 0 means there's nothing pushed after the wrap: end start i v v v [ ]...[ ][ d ][ d ][ d ][ d ][rsv for wrap] Skip the wrapping in this case. TLS 1.3 can use the "wrapping slot" for it's chaining if end = 0. This avoids the chain-after-chain. Move the wrap chaining before marking END and chaining off content type, that feels like more logical ordering to me, but should not matter from functional perspective.
- Severity
- critical
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 7.0.11
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.76% — higher than 54% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2026-64046 scores 9.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at 0.76%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 6.19
Until: 7.0.11
Fixed in: 7.0.11
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 7.0.11 or later to resolve this critical TLS scatterlist chain vulnerability. The patch corrects improper scatterlist chaining in TLS record encryption that could allow malformed memory references during cryptographic operations. Reboot your system after kernel update to apply the changes.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-devel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r | awk -F. '{print $1"."$2"."$3}'
- Verify if TLS module is loaded: lsmod | grep tls
- Review kernel configuration for TLS support: grep -i 'CONFIG_TLS' /boot/config-$(uname -r)
- Confirm patch application by checking kernel build date: uname -v | grep -E '#[0-9]+ SMP.*[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{2}' and cross-reference against 7.0.11 release date
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-64046?
A critical kernel vulnerability in TLS record encryption where improper scatterlist chain management could create invalid cryptographic operation states, potentially leading to memory corruption or denial of service when processing encrypted TLS records.
Is CVE-2026-64046 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not currently being actively exploited in the wild or tracked by CISA as a known exploited vulnerability. However, given its critical CVSS score, prompt patching is strongly recommended.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2026-64046?
Linux kernel versions from 6.19 through 7.0.10 are affected. The vulnerability was resolved in version 7.0.11 and later.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-64046?
Run 'uname -r' and compare the output against the affected range 6.19-7.0.10. If your kernel version falls within this range, your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-64046?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-64046 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps and version guidance.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/410351158dfef2d67fea6603680b3a6013c6ed9d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/49a5faaa471ddcd37b6893970c9916eb836e7c31
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/91359966e247c0244c66d50bbb8e74aefa4321c3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/929b1548e63ac72e104c07d8ee8cbbeeba2fa89a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acdc12b71c9aa4be5dcd2c8062753c6d2033e235
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