CVE-2026-74550
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: do not send ICMP/NDISC Redirects when peer allocation fails
When inet_getpeer_v4() or inet_getpeer_v6() fails to allocate a peer entry
under memory pressure or tree size caps, redirect handlers previously fell
back to sending un-rate-limited ICMP/NDISC Redirect messages.
In IPv4, ip_rt_send_redirect() called icmp_send() directly when peer == NULL.
In IPv6, ip6_forward() and ndisc_send_redirect() passed a NULL peer into
inet_peer_xrlim_allow(), which returned true when peer == NULL.
Because ICMP/NDISC Redirects are not part of the default global rate limit
mask (sysctl_icmp_ratemask), sending redirects when peer == NULL creates
an un-rate-limited ICMP packet storm.
Fix this by failing closed in ip_rt_send_redirect(), ip6_forward(), and
ndisc_send_redirect() when peer is NULL.
CSIRTS triage
- What
- The kernel sends ICMP or NDISC redirect messages even when peer allocation fails, potentially enabling denial-of-service conditions.
- Who is affected
- Systems running affected Linux kernel versions where network redirects are processed.
- Urgency
- Medium priority; not currently exploited but affects network stack stability.
- Action
- Apply kernel patch to prevent redirect transmission on allocation failure or update to a patched kernel version.
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
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Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.48% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 39% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (2)
External references
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