CVE-2026-72051: Linux kernel · net: ip6_tunnel: require CAP_NET_ADMIN in the device netns for changelink
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1 +12
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/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 should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to enforce proper CAP_NET_ADMIN checks in ip6_tnl_changelink(). The fix gates the function with rtnl_dev_link_net_capable() before processing attributes, preventing unauthorized tunnel modifications across network namespaces. Users should update to patched kernel versions as per vendor advisories. No additional mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's net subsystem related to the ip6_tunnel component was resolved. The issue involved insufficient capability checks (CAP_NET_ADMIN) when changing tunnel link attributes across network namespaces, allowing a caller privileged in one namespace to modify tunnels in another. This flaw was fixed by gating the ip6_tnl_changelink() function with proper capability verification before processing attributes. Multiple specific Linux kernel versions are affected. A patch is available to address this vulnerability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72051 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/234cd54fc500f69db43e37de38603da617fbbeea (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2496fa0b7d180b3ad356b514e7ff93bb14e6140a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2636d061bc237a2446a146e42dcc6563acfa7432 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7f68f7928484f463a5bc0d50e6fdd8d16f55a5aa (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d4bcc202a3530c856e1cb183384bc9cc8fddab22 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72051 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72051 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/2496fa0b7d180b3ad356b514e7ff93bb14e6140a (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-8886-1 (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)