Description
The batadv_frag_merge_packets function in net/batman-adv/fragmentation.c in the B.A.T.M.A.N. implementation in the Linux kernel through 3.18.1 uses an incorrect length field during a calculation of an amount of memory, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (mesh-node system crash) via fragmented packets.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux | 3.13.0-46.75 | USN-2516-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-utopic | 3.16.0-31.41~14.04.1 | USN-2517-1 |
Advisories 2
- USN-2516-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- USN-2517-1 linux-lts-utopic vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
References
- FEDORA-2015-0517 vendor-advisory
- USN-2515-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20141231 Re: CVE Request: Linux: Remote crash via batman-adv module - Linux kernel mailing-list
- [netdev] 20141220 Stable fixes for batman-adv mailing-list
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=5b6698b0e4a37053de35cc24ee695b98a7eb712b
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/5b6698b0e4a37053de35cc24ee695b98a7eb712b
- USN-2518-1 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2015:058 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2015-0515 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.debian.org/774155
- [b.a.t.m.a.n] 20141118 kernel BUG at net/core/skbuff.c:100 mailing-list
- USN-2517-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2516-1 vendor-advisory