CVE-2026-72046: Linux kernel · gve: fix header buffer corruption with header-split and HW-GRO
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1118.128~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 50% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1118.128~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1118.128, 6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1 +17
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation 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 and has been released to fix this vulnerability by correcting the header buffer indexing method. Users should update their Linux kernel to the fixed versions provided by their distribution vendor. For Ubuntu users, the advisory USN-8816-1 details the necessary kernel package updates. After applying the update, a system reboot is required. Due to ABI changes, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's gve driver caused header buffer corruption when header-split and hardware GRO (HW-GRO) were enabled. The issue arises because the driver indexed header buffers by queue position rather than buffer identity, which fails under out-of-order packet completions with multiple flows. This leads to incorrect header reads and potential header buffer reuse while still owned by the device, causing throughput drops and TCP retransmissions. The flaw has been fixed by changing the indexing to use buffer identity, ensuring correct header association and safe buffer reuse.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72046 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/35267819b25074084130b6a7be18bbaf44d3ae74 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/84d3753d4bf284ef770ead6dee2270aaabb3ef41 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f8e7f59b0c2f466be74bd923726b0f5496c27ad (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d676c9a73bdcd8237425dbb826f2bd1a25c36e40 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72046 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72046 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/d676c9a73bdcd8237425dbb826f2bd1a25c36e40 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8878-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8877-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8905-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)