CVE-2026-46294
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: dm: fix a buffer overflow in ioctl processing Tony Asleson (using Claude) found a buffer overflow in dm-ioctl in the function retrieve_status: 1. The code in retrieve_status checks that the output string fits into the output buffer and writes the output string there 2. Then, the code aligns the "outptr" variable to the next 8-byte boundary: outptr = align_ptr(outptr); 3. The alignment doesn't check overflow, so outptr could point past the buffer end 4. The "for" loop is iterated again, it executes: remaining = len - (outptr - outbuf); 5. If "outptr" points past "outbuf + len", the arithmetics wraps around and the variable "remaining" contains unusually high number 6. With "remaining" being high, the code writes more data past the end of the buffer Luckily, this bug has no security implications because: 1. Only root can issue device mapper ioctls 2. The commonly used libraries that communicate with device mapper (libdevmapper and devicemapper-rs) use buffer size that is aligned to 8 bytes - thus, "outptr = align_ptr(outptr)" can't overshoot the input buffer and the bug can't happen accidentally
Executive briefing
The source record describes: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: dm: fix a buffer overflow in ioctl processing Tony Asleson (using Claude) found a buffer overflow in dm-ioctl in the function retrieve_status: 1. The code in retrieve_status checks that the output string fits into the output buffer and writes the output string there 2. Then, the code aligns the "outptr" variable to the next 8-byte boundary: outptr = align_ptr(outptr); 3. The alignment doesn't check overflow, so outptr could point past the buffer end 4. The "for" loop is iterated again, it executes: remaining = len - (outptr - outbuf); 5. If "outptr" points past "outbuf + len", the arithmetics wraps around and the variable "remaining" contains unusually high number 6. With "remaining" being high, the code writes more data past the end of the buffer Luckily, this bug has no security implications because: 1. Only root can issue device mapper ioctls 2. The commonly used libraries that communicate with device mapper (libdevmapper and devicemapper-rs) use buffer size that is aligned to 8 bytes - thus, "outptr = align_ptr(outptr)" can't overshoot the input buffer and the bug can't happen accidentally The practical risk depends on whether an affected product/version is present, reachable and configured in an exploitable way. Review the affected-product evidence and linked vendor advisories before assigning exposure status.
Evidence confidence: Moderate Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
CVSS vector:CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Technical explanation & impact
The technical mechanism is not expanded beyond the source description unless a referenced advisory supplies additional evidence. Read the linked vendor/CERT advisories for root-cause detail.
Potential impact must be interpreted from the published CVSS impact metrics and the affected component. A CVSS impact score is not proof that a particular asset is exploitable.
Weakness classification
CWE-787Affected products and versions
Products below are parsed from NVD vulnerable CPE configuration entries. Version boundaries are shown as published; verify applicability with the vendor.
| Vendor | Product | Version evidence |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux_kernel | from (inclusive) 6.19; before 7.0.7 · CPE version 2.6.12 · CPE version 2.6.12 · CPE version 2.6.12 · CPE version 2.6.12 · CPE version 2.6.12 |
Remediation & validation
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
- Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
- Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.
No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.
Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fa49cc884f6496a915c35621ba4da35649bf159 PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/448ee8fb79c26a26599ffa4b2adeb4322d3d3d8c PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/526ff9126a0ae087b65726e1faf31114c718020d PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5af6a879e915ae7bcd83695c316ebb32e1c61bc2 PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8daa6c708ef524089ae43f2aed9190acb26d7df8 PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c8c5311237448f6ffeecc9aec2362e3692623668 PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d271631023cbe1cbe7c31a0275ab797883be6e0a PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f0b0b09d9840838ae77ccdd6a62de0daef4e6e0a PATCH 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-784472.html REFERENCE 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e