# CVE-2026-45966: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  apparmor: fix NULL pointer dereference in __unix...

CVE-2026-45966 is fixed in linux on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-45966 (version 6.18.14-1), released May 27, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-45966
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 5.5 (medium)
- EPSS: 0.0012
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: May 27, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  apparmor: fix NULL pointer dereference in __unix_needs_revalidation  When receiving file descriptors via SCM_RIGHTS, both the socket pointer and the socket's sk pointer can be NULL during socket setup or teardown, causing NULL pointer dereferences in __unix_needs_revalidation().  This is a regression in AppArmor 5.0.0 (kernel 6.17+) where the new __unix_needs_revalidation() function was added without proper NULL checks.  The crash manifests as:   BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0x0000000000000018   RIP: aa_file_perm+0xb7/0x3b0 (or +0xbe/0x3b0, +0xc0/0x3e0)   Call Trace:    apparmor_file_receive+0x42/0x80    security_file_receive+0x2e/0x50    receive_fd+0x1d/0xf0    scm_detach_fds+0xad/0x1c0  The function dereferences sock->sk->sk_family without checking if either sock or sock->sk is NULL first.  Add NULL checks for both sock and sock->sk before accessing sk_family.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 6.18.14-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-45966](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-45966.md) | May 27, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T13:06:02Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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