CVE-2026-38971: ardupilot through Plane-4.6.3 was found to contain an out-of-bounds read issue in libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_se

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-38971?

arduplane: upgrade to newer than 4.6.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-38971 being exploited?

CVE-2026-38971 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-38971 affect?

CVE-2026-38971 affects arduplane. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). 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().

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-38971?

Priority 55/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-38971 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting arduplane. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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().

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 48%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2026-07-02
Last modified	2026-07-09

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ardupilot

Last updated 2026-07-09 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-07-02 21:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-09 15:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ardupilot arduplane UPGRADE

Affected: <= 4.6.3

Fixed in: newer than 4.6.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy arduplane || rpm -q arduplane || arduplane --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 4.6.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade arduplane

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade arduplane

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-38971?

arduplane: upgrade to newer than 4.6.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-38971 being exploited?

CVE-2026-38971 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-38971 affect?

CVE-2026-38971 affects arduplane. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). 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().

How urgent is CVE-2026-38971?

Priority 55/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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