CVE-2026-68480: Linux kernel · x86/bugs: Make Safe-RET robust against interrupt injection
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 14% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +41
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 6 Aug 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?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?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
A patch is available and should be applied by updating the Linux kernel to the fixed versions as provided by the vendor. Ubuntu has released security updates addressing this issue, and users should update and reboot their systems accordingly. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official kernel updates.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's x86 architecture Safe-RET mitigation allows an attacker to inject interrupts that can neutralize the safe return sequence, potentially causing data leakage through speculative execution. The issue is addressed by emulating the Safe-RET sequence upon interrupt return to prevent executing a RET instruction. Multiple Linux kernel versions are affected, and a patch is available. This vulnerability is rated medium severity.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-68480 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/608c8f5dccaaf8b8d2b28c0fbdd439d144be62b0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/61649a2d61cb0dbc673f0f232f0f0c298bf50442 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/95b08cdd603fe79d2e9d5212fbb13d577c835f4f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9c0b8105e919be5208c81d5516a194a28c58fe1e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9de1a49e8f1fbf7c372902573a27a97d4ab4d0af (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bfe7f9993467ba431b2731437949ac1e2634e771 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/52db77a13be224e09eb4ba6b4252ae8ab9085c2c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6703dba1d14cbd6647cd1ccfa3a3fa94b64dd096 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0208e08d64d99383e09852a76cc3038c5a4c3ab (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dfefa3c51370f84acb643cddf98bb42c885d0483 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e262f28a69ae9e0791248f93b0173c1d1f3e1d5d (opens in a new tab)
- msrc.microsoft.com/csaf/vex/2026/msrc_cve-2026-68480.json (opens in a new tab)
- support.microsoft.com/lifecycle (opens in a new tab)
- first.org/cvss (opens in a new tab)
- people.csail.mit.edu/mengjia/data/2026.USENIX.TONTOU.pdf (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-68480 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-68480 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8876-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8878-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8879-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8877-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8875-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8889-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-2 (opens in a new tab)