CVE-2026-43384 net/tcp-ao: Fix MAC comparison to be constant-time

Critical 9.8 Published Updated

An attacker can exploit non-constant-time MAC comparisons in TCP-AO to potentially recover sensitive data via timing attacks.

Exploited in the wild
Not known
Login needed
Not needed
Attackable
Over the internet
Victim action needed
Not needed
Fix
Available

What is CVE-2026-43384?

CVE-2026-43384 is a critical vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 8 May 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net/tcp-ao: Fix MAC comparison to be constant-time

To prevent timing attacks, MACs need to be compared in constant time. Use the appropriate helper function for this.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-43384?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2026-43384?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Is CVE-2026-43384 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-43384 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-43384, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-43384, GHSA-3xxf-f9pw-rwm5, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2026-43384, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-43384.

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