CVE-2026-72017: Linux kernel · net: macb: drop in-flight Tx SKBs on close
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.6 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-147.147 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- 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 6.8.0-147.147, 6.8.0-1067.70, 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 +25
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation 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.
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 for the affected Linux kernel versions. Users should apply the official kernel updates that include the fix for this vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the patch.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's MACB network driver caused outgoing transmit socket buffers (Tx SKBs) to be leaked when the device was closed. This issue arises because the driver did not properly free in-flight Tx SKBs, leading to resource leakage. The flaw has been resolved with a patch. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions listed in the advisory. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72017 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/109241d9880488aafd8e104832b4d4859ad57244 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2143fdc0ce27adbb1caaa1a97e0bfb9f3750aef4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/26b131b2d5b55a81ef6182769d28105a870c0eb2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/27f575836cfebbf872dec020428742b10650a955 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6124bd785073659c99385094657b77382ebce11b (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72017 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72017 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/27f575836cfebbf872dec020428742b10650a955 (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-8887-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8917-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8918-1 (opens in a new tab)