OpenVPN · Use After Free
Affects openvpnSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.1 High · patch available : patch openvpn soon.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 19:04 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 39% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 3 Jul 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Debiandebian/openvpnpkg:deb/debian/openvpnOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
If you cannot patch yet, restrict access to trusted authenticated peers and monitor for unusual activity related to TLS session handling.
Description
A use-after-free in OpenVPN 2.6.0 through 2.6.20 and 2.7_alpha1 through 2.7.4 allows remote authenticated peers to potentially cause a denial of service or leak memory via crafted packets during TLS session promotion or expiry
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-12996 (opens in a new tab)
- community.openvpn.net/ReleaseHistory (opens in a new tab)
- community.openvpn.net/ReleaseHistory (opens in a new tab)
- community.openvpn.net/Security%20Announcements/CVE-2026-12996 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2026/07/msg00013.html (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-12996 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-12996 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8540-1 (opens in a new tab)