CVE-2026-89477: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: fix NULL deref on untransmitted RECONF completion sctp_process_strreset

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: fix NULL deref on untransmitted RECONF completion sctp_process_strreset_outreq(), sc

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: fix NULL deref on untransmitted RECONF completion sctp_process_strreset_outreq(), sctp_process_strreset_addstrm_out() and sctp_process_strreset_resp() complete a pending stream reconfiguration request by stopping the reconf timer on the transport it was sent on: t = asoc->strreset_chunk->transport; if (timer_delete(&t->reconf_timer)) sctp_transport_put(t); chunk->transport is assigned by __sctp_packet_append_chunk() when the chunk is appended to an outbound packet, and sctp_outq_flush_ctrl() arms the reconf timer at that same point. A request already published in asoc->strreset_chunk but not yet transmitted has neither, so completing it dereferences NULL. Two ways to get there. sctp_send_asconf_del_ip() sets asoc->src_out_of_asoc_ok without sending anything when the address being removed is the association's last one, and sctp_outq_flush_ctrl() then leaves every non-ASCONF control chunk queued; as only sctp_process_asconf_ack() clears that flag, it persists. An unprivileged process that removes such an address and then asks for a stream reset panics the kernel from softirq. A peer needs neither ASCON

Description from the National Vulnerability Database, published by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

What it means for a small business

Linux is on the computers, phones or browsers your team uses every day. Turn on automatic updates and restart: most of these fixes only take effect after a restart.

How likely is an attack? The Exploit Prediction Scoring System, run by FIRST (the global association of security response teams), puts the odds of this one being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.50%, higher than 42% of CVEs. That’s low, but low isn’t zero, and the odds jump the day someone publishes an exploit. Scored October 29, 2026, updated daily.

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Sources

Part of the Huttenlocher Technologies vulnerability database, refreshed twice a day from CISA and the NVD. The title, category and plain-language guidance are ours; check the linked record before acting on a detail. This is general guidance, not a review of your systems.

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