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CVE-2026-72421: Since the first lookup does not properly bail out, the result of an error route in the merged local/main…

CVE-2026-72421 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 10.0. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction.

Vulnerability description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: fib: Don't ignore error route in local/main tables. When CONFIG_IP_MULTIPLE_TABLES is enabled but no rule is added, fib_lookup() performs route lookup directly on two tables. Since the first lookup does not properly bail out, the result of an error route in the merged local/main table could be overwritten by another route in the default table: # unshare -n # ip link set lo up # ip route add 192.168.0.0/24 dev lo table 253 # ip route add unreachable 192.168.0.0/24 # ip route get 192.168.0.1 192.168.0.1 dev lo table default uid 0 cache <local> Once a random rule is added, the error route is respected: # ip rule add table 0 # ip rule del table 0 # ip route get 192.168.0.1 RTNETLINK answers: No route to host Let's fix the inconsistent behaviour.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 10.0: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Changed. Impact reaches beyond the vulnerable component to other resources.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: None. No effect on availability.

Affected products

    References