CVE-2026-43281 mailbox: Prevent out-of-bounds access in fw_mbox_index_xlate()
A missing bounds check in the Linux kernel mailbox subsystem allows out-of-bounds memory access, potentially causing crashes or information leaks.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-43281?
CVE-2026-43281 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 6 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mailbox: Prevent out-of-bounds access in fw_mbox_index_xlate()
Although it is guided that `#mbox-cells` must be at least 1, there are many instances of `#mbox-cells = <0>;` in the device tree. If that is the case and the corresponding mailbox controller does not provide `fw_xlate` and of_xlate` function pointers, `fw_mbox_index_xlate()` will be used by default and out-of-bounds accesses could occur due to lack of bounds check in that function.
Weakness: CWE-125
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-43281?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-43281?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-43281 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-43281 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-43281, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-43281, GHSA-78gq-46gf-2hpp, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2026-43281, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2026-43281, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2026-43281 and 1 more.