CVE-2026-45988: Linux Kernel

Critical severity, CVSS 9.8. EPSS: 0.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rxrpc: Fix re-decryption of RESPONSE packets If a RESPONSE packet gets a temporary failure during processing, it may end up in a partially decrypted state - and then get requeued for a retry. Fix this by just discarding the packet; we will send another CHALLENGE packet and thereby elicit a further response. Similarly, discard an incoming CHALLENGE packet if we get an error whilst generating a RESPONSE; the server will send another CHALLENGE.

Affected products

• Linux Linux Kernel: from 2.6.22, before 6.6.140 (fixed in 6.6.140); from 6.7, before 6.12.86 (fixed in 6.12.86); from 6.13, before 6.18.27 (fixed in 6.18.27); from 6.19, before 7.0.4 (fixed in 7.0.4)

Published 2026-05-27. Last modified 2026-06-17.