Vulnerability in the OpenSSH GSSAPI delta included in various Linux distributions. This vulnerability affects the GSSAPI patches added by various Linux distributions and does not affect the OpenSSH upstream project itself. The usage of sshpkt_disconnect() on an error, which does not terminate the process, allows an attacker to send an unexpected GSSAPI message type during the GSSAPI key exchange to the server, which will call the underlying function and continue the execution of the program without setting the related connection variables. As the variables are not initialized to NULL the code later accesses those uninitialized variables, accessing random memory, which could lead to undefined behavior. The recommended workaround is to use ssh_packet_disconnect() instead, which does terminate the process. The impact of the vulnerability depends heavily on the compiler flag hardening configuration.

The remote Redhat Enterprise Linux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the RHSA-2026:9732 advisory.

    OpenSSH is an SSH protocol implementation supported by a number of Linux, UNIX, and similar operating     systems. It includes the core files necessary for both the OpenSSH client and server.

    Security Fix(es):

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

    For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and     other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Redhat Enterprise Linux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the RHSA-2026:9415 advisory.

    OpenSSH is an SSH protocol implementation supported by a number of Linux, UNIX, and similar operating     systems. It includes the core files necessary for both the OpenSSH client and server.

    Security Fix(es):

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

    For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and     other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Debian 12 / 13 host has packages installed that are affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the dsa-6204 advisory.

    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------     Debian Security Advisory DSA-6204-1                   security@debian.org     https://www.debian.org/security/                     Salvatore Bonaccorso     April 09, 2026                        https://www.debian.org/security/faq
    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Package        : openssh     CVE ID         : CVE-2026-3497     Debian Bug     : 1130595

    Jeremy Brown discovered a flaw in the GSSAPI Key Exchange patch applied     in Debian to OpenSSH, an implementation of the SSH protocol suite,     affecting non-default configurations with the GSSAPIKeyExchange setting     enabled. A remote attacker can take advantage of this flaw to cause a     denial of service, or potentially the execution of arbitrary code.

    For the oldstable distribution (bookworm), this problem has been fixed     in version 1:9.2p1-2+deb12u9. This update includes fixes for     CVE-2025-61984 and CVE-2025-61985 which were queued for the Debian     bookworm 12.14 point release.

    For the stable distribution (trixie), this problem has been fixed in     version 1:10.0p1-7+deb13u2.

    We recommend that you upgrade your openssh packages.

    For the detailed security status of openssh please refer to its security     tracker page at:
    https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/openssh

    Further information about Debian Security Advisories, how to apply     these updates to your system and frequently asked questions can be     found at: https://www.debian.org/security/

    Mailing list: debian-security-announce@lists.debian.org

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Debian security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Debian 11 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the dla-4535 advisory.

    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------     Debian LTS Advisory DLA-4535-1                debian-lts@lists.debian.org     https://www.debian.org/lts/security/               Emilio Pozuelo Monfort     April 16, 2026                                https://wiki.debian.org/LTS
    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Package        : openssh     Version        : 1:8.4p1-5+deb11u6     CVE ID         : CVE-2026-3497     Debian Bug     : 1130595

    Jeremy Brown discovered a flaw in the GSSAPI Key Exchange patch applied     in Debian to OpenSSH, an implementation of the SSH protocol suite,     affecting non-default configurations with the GSSAPIKeyExchange setting     enabled. A remote attacker can take advantage of this flaw to cause a     denial of service, or potentially the execution of arbitrary code.

    For Debian 11 bullseye, this problem has been fixed in version     1:8.4p1-5+deb11u6.

    We recommend that you upgrade your openssh packages.

    For the detailed security status of openssh please refer to     its security tracker page at:
    https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/openssh

    Further information about Debian LTS security advisories, how to apply     these updates to your system and frequently asked questions can be     found at: https://wiki.debian.org/LTS

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Debian security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote AlmaLinux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the ALSA-2026:6462 advisory.

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the AlmaLinux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote AlmaLinux 10 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the ALSA-2026:6463 advisory.

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the AlmaLinux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote AlmaLinux 8 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the ALSA-2026:6461 advisory.

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the AlmaLinux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote RockyLinux 8 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the RLSA-2026:6461 advisory.

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the RockyLinux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Redhat Enterprise Linux 10 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the RHSA-2026:7107 advisory.

    OpenSSH is an SSH protocol implementation supported by a number of Linux, UNIX, and similar operating     systems. It includes the core files necessary for both the OpenSSH client and server.

    Security Fix(es):

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

    For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and     other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote MiracleLinux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the AXSA:2026-410:02 advisory.

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the MiracleLinux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote MiracleLinux 8 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the AXSA:2026-408:01 advisory.

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the MiracleLinux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Oracle Linux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the ELSA-2026-6462 advisory.

    [8.7p1-48.0.1]
    - Upstream references found with /usr/bin/ssh [Orabug: 37814929]
    - upstream: fix AuthorizedPrincipalsCommand when AuthorizedKeysCommand [Orabug: 37647064]
    - Update upstream references [Orabug: 36564626]

    [8.7p1-48]
    - CVE-2026-3497: Fix information disclosure or denial of service due       to uninitialized variables in gssapi-keyex       Resolves: RHEL-155823

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Oracle Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Oracle Linux 8 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the ELSA-2026-6461 advisory.

    [8.0p1-28.0.1]
    - Update upstream references [Orabug: 36587718]

    [8.0p1-28]
    - CVE-2026-3497: Fix information disclosure or denial of service due       to uninitialized variables in gssapi-keyex       Resolves: RHEL-155814

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Oracle Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Oracle Linux 10 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the ELSA-2026-6463 advisory.

    [9.9p1-13.0.1]
    - Upstream references found with /usr/bin/ssh [Orabug: 37824421]

    [9.9p1-13]
    - CVE-2026-3497: Fix information disclosure or denial of service due       to uninitialized variables in gssapi-keyex       Resolves: RHEL-155811

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Oracle Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Redhat Enterprise Linux 8 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the RHSA-2026:6461 advisory.

    OpenSSH is an SSH protocol implementation supported by a number of Linux, UNIX, and similar operating     systems. It includes the core files necessary for both the OpenSSH client and server.

    Security Fix(es):

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

    For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and     other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Redhat Enterprise Linux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the RHSA-2026:6462 advisory.

    OpenSSH is an SSH protocol implementation supported by a number of Linux, UNIX, and similar operating     systems. It includes the core files necessary for both the OpenSSH client and server.

    Security Fix(es):

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

    For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and     other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Redhat Enterprise Linux 10 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the RHSA-2026:6463 advisory.

    OpenSSH is an SSH protocol implementation supported by a number of Linux, UNIX, and similar operating     systems. It includes the core files necessary for both the OpenSSH client and server.

    Security Fix(es):

    * openssh: OpenSSH GSSAPI: Information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables     (CVE-2026-3497)

    For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and     other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote CentOS Linux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the openssh-9.9p1-7.el9 build changelog.

  - Fix information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables in gssapi-keyex     (CVE-2026-3497)

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote CentOS Linux 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the openssh-9.9p1-5.el9 build changelog.

  - Fix information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables in gssapi-keyex     (CVE-2026-3497)

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Fedora 44 host has a package installed that is affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the FEDORA-2026-62fb46caac advisory.

    - CVE-2026-3497: Fix information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables in gssapi-     keyex

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Fedora 42 host has a package installed that is affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the FEDORA-2026-39819a3d62 advisory.

    - CVE-2026-3497: Fix information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables in gssapi-     keyex

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Fedora 43 host has a package installed that is affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the FEDORA-2026-bab4aa5da7 advisory.

    - CVE-2026-3497: Fix information disclosure or denial of service due to uninitialized variables in gssapi-     keyex

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Ubuntu 22.04 LTS / 24.04 LTS / 25.10 host has packages installed that are affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the USN-8090-1 advisory.

    Jeremy Brown discovered that the OpenSSH GSSAPI Key Exchange incorrectly handled disconnecting clients. In     non-default configurations where the GSSAPIKeyExchange setting is enabled, a remote attacker could use     this issue to cause OpenSSH to crash, resulting in a denial of service, or possibly execute arbitrary     code. (CVE-2026-3497)

    David Leadbeater discovered that OpenSSH incorrectly handled certain control characters in usernames. When     untrusted usernames and the ProxyCommand are being used, an attacker could possibly use this issue to     execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2025-61984)

    David Leadbeater discovered that OpenSSH incorrectly handled NULL characters in ssh:// URIs. When the     ProxyCommand is being used, an attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary code.
    (CVE-2025-61985)

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Ubuntu security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed that are impacted by a vulnerability without a vendor supplied patch available.

  - Vulnerability in the OpenSSH GSSAPI delta included in various Linux distributions. This vulnerability     affects the GSSAPI patches added by various Linux distributions and does not affect the OpenSSH upstream     project itself. The usage of sshpkt_disconnect() on an error, which does not terminate the process, allows     an attacker to send an unexpected GSSAPI message type during the GSSAPI key exchange to the server, which     will call the underlying function and continue the execution of the program without setting the related     connection variables. As the variables are not initialized to NULL the code later accesses those     uninitialized variables, accessing random memory, which could lead to undefined behavior. The recommended     workaround is to use ssh_packet_disconnect() instead, which does terminate the process. The impact of the     vulnerability depends heavily on the compiler flag hardening configuration. (CVE-2026-3497)

Note that Nessus relies on the presence of the package as reported by the vendor.

ID	Name	Product	Family	Severity
309746	RHEL 9 : openssh (RHSA-2026:9732)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	medium
309088	RHEL 9 : openssh (RHSA-2026:9415)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	medium
307671	Debian dsa-6204 : openssh-client - security update	Nessus	Debian Local Security Checks	medium
307622	Debian dla-4535 : openssh-client - security update	Nessus	Debian Local Security Checks	medium
305947	AlmaLinux 9 : openssh (ALSA-2026:6462)	Nessus	Alma Linux Local Security Checks	medium
305945	AlmaLinux 10 : openssh (ALSA-2026:6463)	Nessus	Alma Linux Local Security Checks	medium
305869	AlmaLinux 8 : openssh (ALSA-2026:6461)	Nessus	Alma Linux Local Security Checks	medium
305660	RockyLinux 8 : openssh (RLSA-2026:6461)	Nessus	Rocky Linux Local Security Checks	medium
305639	RHEL 10 : openssh (RHSA-2026:7107)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	medium
305153	MiracleLinux 9 : openssh-8.7p1-48.el9_7.ML.1 (AXSA:2026-410:02)	Nessus	Miracle Linux Local Security Checks	medium
305058	MiracleLinux 8 : openssh-8.0p1-28.el8_10 (AXSA:2026-408:01)	Nessus	Miracle Linux Local Security Checks	medium
304941	Oracle Linux 9 : openssh (ELSA-2026-6462)	Nessus	Oracle Linux Local Security Checks	medium
304802	Oracle Linux 8 : openssh (ELSA-2026-6461)	Nessus	Oracle Linux Local Security Checks	medium
304799	Oracle Linux 10 : openssh (ELSA-2026-6463)	Nessus	Oracle Linux Local Security Checks	medium
304730	RHEL 8 : openssh (RHSA-2026:6461)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	medium
304725	RHEL 9 : openssh (RHSA-2026:6462)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	medium
304701	RHEL 10 : openssh (RHSA-2026:6463)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	medium
304416	CentOS 9 : openssh-9.9p1-7.el9	Nessus	CentOS Local Security Checks	medium
303361	CentOS 9 : openssh-9.9p1-5.el9	Nessus	CentOS Local Security Checks	medium
303279	Fedora 44 : openssh (2026-62fb46caac)	Nessus	Fedora Local Security Checks	medium
303246	Fedora 42 : openssh (2026-39819a3d62)	Nessus	Fedora Local Security Checks	medium
303121	Fedora 43 : openssh (2026-bab4aa5da7)	Nessus	Fedora Local Security Checks	medium
302216	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS / 24.04 LTS / 25.10 : OpenSSH vulnerabilities (USN-8090-1)	Nessus	Ubuntu Local Security Checks	medium
302159	Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-3497	Nessus	Misc.	medium

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