User After Free Vulnerability in Linux Kernel SCTP Control Socket

CVE-2026-68162

What is CVE-2026-68162?

CVE-2026-68162 refers to a user-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) control socket. SCTP is a transport layer protocol that provides reliable, message-oriented communication, commonly used in telecommunication systems and other scenarios requiring high reliability. This particular vulnerability arises during the teardown of network namespaces when sysctl parameters related to SCTP authentication are being manipulated, potentially leading to a scenario where a previously freed control socket remains accessible. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker, compromising the integrity and availability of the system, thereby posing a significant risk to organizations that rely on the Linux kernel for critical operations.

Potential impact of CVE-2026-68162

1. Remote Code Execution: The vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected system, leading to unauthorized control and potential data breaches.

2. Denial of Service: Exploitation of this flaw could cause the SCTP control socket to become unstable or crash, resulting in a denial of service for applications relying on the SCTP protocol, thereby impacting service availability.

3. Data Integrity Compromise: By manipulating the SCTP state through the vulnerable sysctl parameters, attackers may alter or disrupt data transmission processes, leading to integrity violations that compromise the reliability of communications handled by the affected systems.

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