CVE-2026-72013: Linux kernel · riscv: Prevent NULL pointer dereference in machine_kexec_prepare()
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 28 Oct 2026, 05:11 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 11% 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 +55
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 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.
Patches and advisories
- 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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8875-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-3 (opens in a new tab)
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 has been released in multiple fixed Linux kernel versions as listed. Users and administrators should update to the fixed kernel versions to remediate this vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official updates.
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability was identified and fixed in the RISC-V architecture implementation of the Linux kernel's machine_kexec_prepare() function. This flaw occurs when the code attempts to copy data from a buffer pointer that may be NULL, leading to a potential system crash. The issue arises from unchecked copying of a buffer that can be NULL due to prior function calls. The vulnerability has been addressed by adding a check before the data copy operation.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72013 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72013 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/81bbcff0c053c4f5c711c31a9b72fc492bd96c3f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/606cc45e871e34b80a2f63874f069387a5b44176 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ad6954492697681ebcfc1beb0eb384406cd4b65 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/81bbcff0c053c4f5c711c31a9b72fc492bd96c3f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b5f92cc4e24a298bf390b0b189a4b888c0900161 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c462e15497dc40abe369b3be7a2c91ac5d1be6f9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d5b2752a17efc165793ae38f2c24b5ed9c04ffde (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/eadd0c2c76aee6a738f17f251434c77db3c606c8 (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)