CVE-2026-72061: Linux kernel · net: sit: 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 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 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 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +42
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 that adds the necessary capability checks to the ipip6_changelink() function for the sit tunnel type. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that address this issue. The vendor advisory confirms the availability of fixes. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the patch.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's sit tunnel type allowed a caller with CAP_NET_ADMIN capability in one network namespace to rewrite a tunnel in another namespace without proper authorization. This was due to insufficient capability checks in the ipip6_changelink() function. The issue has been fixed by adding a capability check at the start of the function. Multiple specific Linux kernel versions are affected.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72061 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/27ccb68e7cccead5d8c611665a45d23032d468b3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3118e97dae533fb45964b87bbed1801afcff7c65 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/388ccffbd2e7e5e4271f291085a7451865705305 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d139dec96691cde96cb40ed293e2d13d994fb4f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/99ae3248b33df94201915d9c32e7470cdf08cfcd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0ea1aedb37bb979e864ed7787975434bbd9db73 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c5a0ae895432596b2f464172da8218e2d84e2932 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cb41b308e9d867725d965b291dd085028e36a480 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72061 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72061 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/27ccb68e7cccead5d8c611665a45d23032d468b3 (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-8886-1 (opens in a new tab)