CVE-2026-43198: tcp: fix potential race in tcp_v6_syn_recv_sock()

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-43198 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) vulnerability in linux. EPSS estimates a 0.30% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 22.5% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 06-05-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 19-10-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tcp: fix potential race in tcp_v6_syn_recv_sock() Code in tcp_v6_syn_recv_sock() after the call to tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() is done too late. After tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock(), the child socket is already visible from TCP ehash table and other cpus might use it. Since newinet->pinet6 is still pointing to the listener ipv6_pinfo bad things can happen as syzbot found. Move the problematic code in tcp_v6_mapped_child_init() and call this new helper from tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() before the ehash insertion. This allows the removal of one tcp_sync_mss(), since tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() will call it with the correct context.

• CWE-362Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper SynchronizationThe product contains a concurrent code sequence that requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence operating concurrently.
• CWE-821Incorrect SynchronizationThe product utilizes a shared resource in a concurrent manner, but it does not correctly synchronize access to the resource.