# CVE-2026-86097: PX4 Autopilot null pointer dereference in param_set_default_file

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86097-px4-autopilot-null-pointer-dereference-in-param-set-default-file  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-04. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-86097 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-09-04

PX4 Autopilot is flight control software used on unmanned aerial vehicles and robotics platforms to manage autonomous navigation and operations. A null pointer dereference vulnerability allows an attacker to crash the autopilot process by executing specific commands without proper arguments, potentially disrupting vehicle operation or mission-critical functions.

Technologies: [Px4 Autopilot](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/autopilot). Vendors: [Px4](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/px4).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-86097 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-86097 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-86097?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 4 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Px4 Autopilot through 1.17.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-86097?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-86097 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in device firmware.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-86097?** Check whether you run Px4 Autopilot at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A null pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the param_set_default_file() and param_set_backup_file() functions in PX4 Autopilot. The vulnerability is triggered when the 'param select' or 'param select-backup' commands are invoked from the PX4 shell without providing a required path argument, causing the functions to dereference a null pointer. An attacker with shell access can exploit this to crash the autopilot process, resulting in denial of service. The vulnerability affects versions through 1.17.0; patch status for newer versions is not specified in available information.

## Affected products

- PX4 Autopilot through 1.17.0

## Timeline

- 2026-09-04: disclosed

## References

- [https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot](https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot)
- [https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot/blob/v1.17.0/src/lib/parameters/parameters.cpp](https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot/blob/v1.17.0/src/lib/parameters/parameters.cpp)

## Related threats

- [PX4 Autopilot stack overflow in file2 test command](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102809-px4-autopilot-through-1-17-0-contains-an-uncontrolled-stack)
- [PX4 Autopilot NULL pointer dereference in sd_stress command](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102808-px4-autopilot-through-1-17-0-contains-a-null-pointer-dereference)
- [PX4 Autopilot stack buffer over-read in netman command](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86714-px4-autopilot-stack-buffer-over-read-in-netman-command)
- [PX4 Autopilot use-after-free in load_mon module](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86713-px4-autopilot-use-after-free-in-load-mon-module)
- [PX4 Autopilot use-after-free in TemperatureCalibration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86096-px4-autopilot-use-after-free-in-temperaturecalibration)