CVE-2026-64044: Linux kernel · ovpn: respect peer refcount in CMD_NEW_PEER error path
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 7% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1, 7.0.0-28.28, 7.0.0-1008.8 +3
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 20 Jul 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: 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 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@7.0.0-28.28?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@7.0.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@7.0.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke@7.0.0-1003.4?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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
An official patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms the fix is included in updated kernel packages. Users should update their Linux kernel to a fixed version to mitigate this vulnerability. No additional workarounds or mitigations are specified or required beyond applying the official update.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ovpn (OpenVPN) subsystem was resolved. The issue occurs in the error path of ovpn_nl_peer_new_doit() where the peer reference count is not properly respected, leading to premature destruction of a peer object while still in use. This affects TCP connections where userspace operations can hold references to the peer concurrently. The flaw could lead to memory corruption and potentially privilege escalation or denial of service. A patch is available that corrects the reference counting to defer destruction until all references are released.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-64044 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-64044 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/1fef6614673ff0846d30acdeeaf3cf98bb5f6116 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8593-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8603-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8618-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8663-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8664-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-1 (opens in a new tab)