How severe is CVE-2026-45988?

CVE-2026-45988 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-45988 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-45988?

CVE-2026-45988 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-45988?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2026-45988 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2026-45988 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-32284.

When was CVE-2026-45988 published?

CVE-2026-45988 was published on 2026-05-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2026-45988

CVE-2026-45988 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (37th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-32284
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2026-05-27
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-45988?: 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.
How severe is CVE-2026-45988?: CVE-2026-45988 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-45988 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-45988?: CVE-2026-45988 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-45988?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-45988 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2026-45988 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-32284.
When was CVE-2026-45988 published?: CVE-2026-45988 was published on 2026-05-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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