ArduPilot CVE-2026-38971
CRITICALSeverity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
Unauthenticated crafted MAVLink message (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N); OOB read leaks memory back over serial passthrough (C:H) and can crash the autopilot (A:H), no integrity impact.
Primary rating from Vendor (mitre).
CVSS VectorVendor: mitre
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
Lifecycle Timeline
3DescriptionCVE.org
ardupilot through Plane-4.6.3 was found to contain an out-of-bounds read issue in libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_serial_control.cpp in GCS_MAVLINK::handle_serial_control().
AnalysisAI
Out-of-bounds read in ArduPilot's MAVLink ground-control-station handler (through Plane-4.6.3) lets a remote attacker on the MAVLink link send a crafted SERIAL_CONTROL message that reads memory beyond intended bounds in GCS_MAVLINK::handle_serial_control(), potentially disclosing adjacent flight-controller memory and/or crashing the autopilot. The CVSS 9.1 rating reflects high confidentiality and availability impact over an unauthenticated network vector, though EPSS is low (0.17%, 6th percentile) and no public exploit is identified at time of analysis. …
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Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata
Vulnerability AssessmentAI
| Exploitation | Exploitation requires the attacker to reach the vehicle's MAVLink interface and send a crafted SERIAL_CONTROL message that is processed by GCS_MAVLINK::handle_serial_control(); the specific trigger is a malformed SERIAL_CONTROL payload (e.g., an oversized or inconsistent length/count field) causing the out-of-bounds read. … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment. |
| Risk Assessment | Signals conflict in the usual way for open-source firmware CVEs: the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N, C:H/I:N/A:H) drives a 9.1 'critical' score, but EPSS is only 0.17% (6th percentile), there is no CISA KEV listing, and no public exploit is identified - indicating no observed mass exploitation. … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in. |
| Exploit Scenario | An attacker with access to the vehicle's MAVLink link - for example a UDP/TCP telemetry port reachable on a shared network or a captured RF link - sends a crafted SERIAL_CONTROL message with a malformed length/count field. The handler reads past the intended buffer, returning adjacent flight-controller memory to the attacker and/or crashing the autopilot process, which is safety-critical for an airborne vehicle. … |
| Remediation | Upstream fix available (PR/commit); released patched version not independently confirmed - track and apply ArduPilot pull request #32587 (issue #32524) and upgrade to the first tagged release that includes it once published, rather than relying on the pre-4.6.3 line. … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report. |
Recommended ActionAI
Within 24 hours: inventory all ArduPilot Plane deployments (version 4.6.3 and earlier) and assess exposure to untrusted MAVLink connections; immediately block external MAVLink traffic if operationally feasible. …
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Same weakness CWE-125 – Out-of-bounds Read
View allSame technique Buffer Overflow
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External POC / Exploit Code
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