Update on the 9.8 CVSS TCP/IP RCE in the Linux kernel (CVE-2026-98432): we've detected what appears to be a threat actor activity scanning the entire internet for exposed affected systems. Our own scanning also suggests that the number of potential targets is high, therefore there is an increased likelihood of threat actors attempting to develop exploits for the vulnerability.

while CVE-2026-98432 is believed to require MPTCP to be enabled in the kernel, as well as a listening app/service which binds an MPTCP socket, which many have suggested should be rare, several kernels including Debian enable MPTCP by default.

Additionally, Go 1.24+ binds MPTCP sockets by default if the option is enabled in the kernel, so anything built on top of Go (including Caddy) will create the required MPTCP listener.

The mitigation of setting net.mptcp.enabled=0 disabled MPTCP, but does not apply to existing sockets, so any applications that have bound MPTCP sockets need to be restarted, otherwise the system remains exploitable.

You can check if your server is running any MPTCP listeners with the following command: sudo ss -Mlnp

On 2026-10-30 our preliminary internet-wide scan of port 443 confirmed that there are approximately 2,102,043 servers that are successfully reachable via an MPTCP connection. A deeper scan which attempts to connect to each endpoint on port 443 and negotiate a full TLS connection with MPTCP enabled returned about 762,774 systems.

Neither scan can confirm that these are unpatched kernels, just total exposure, but it's a lot more systems than expected. Since a valid HTTP connection is not required to exploit the vulnerability, the total attack surface is likely closer to the 2.1 million number than the 763k one.

As of today (2026-11-02), we've picked up several residential proxies and VPNs scanning the internet on port 443 using MPTCP-enabled connections. Since regular scanners do not negotiate MPTCP by default, and no data is being sent to the HTTP server over 443, we strongly suspect this activity is scanning for CVE-2026-98432 specifically. The use of residential proxies and RU-based VPN servers suggests that this is likely threat actor scanning, rather than security researchers.

Currently there are no known publicly available remote code execution exploits, but there are several denial of service proof-of-concepts floating around. This code gives threat actors a starting point to begin attempting to weaponize the vulnerability. Building exploits for the vulnerability is reported to be extremely difficult, but several state-sponsored threat actors likely have the resources required to succeed.

Automne en Vénéon

New, by me: Tech Firms Dismantle Botnet That Turned 1.3M TV Boxes Into Proxies

Google said today it worked with industry partners to dismantle a botnet made up of more than 1.3 million Android TV set-top boxes that ship with malicious software which secretly rents the user’s Internet connection out to strangers and conducts advertising fraud. Experts involved in the takedown say the action is likely to sever the botnet’s access to more than 10 million additional compromised systems, including other Internet of Things (IoT) products such as Android-based healthcare devices and karaoke machines.

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2026/11/tech-firms-dismantle-botnet-that-turned-1-3m-tv-boxes-into-proxies/

#botnet #cybercrime #google #IoT #xcpe

Heads up: A password management app/platform called Msecure from mSeven Software says it recently learned of suspicious activity associated with its app. Here is the important part of their advisory:

"Given the potential security implications, mSeven recommends that you immediately take steps to protect all confidential information stored within the mSecure password management application. This may include changing passwords, resetting or re-enrolling two-factor authentication methods, or removing existing passkeys."

There isn't much else to the notice. I've pasted the entire thing below anyway.

"Important Security Notice

mSeven Software (“mSeven”) recently learned of suspicious activity associated with the mSecure password management application. In response, mSeven quickly launched an investigation, took steps to mitigate the issue, and engaged external cybersecurity experts to assist. You are receiving this email because you are a current or former mSecure customer.
Given the potential security implications, mSeven recommends that you immediately take steps to protect all confidential information stored within the mSecure password management application. This may include changing passwords, resetting or re-enrolling two-factor authentication methods, or removing existing passkeys.
We regret any inconvenience that this may cause.

Sincerely,
The mSeven Software Team"

/me now has @AdGuard Home running on my @homeassistant Green.

If I get a case of “it’s always DNS” it’ll be entirely my own fault.

Feeling nerdy. ;)

#homeassistant #adguard_home