CVE-2026-72069: Linux kernel · locking/rt: Fix the incorrect RCU protection in rt_spin_unlock()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 53% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1 +13
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
An official patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this vulnerability has been fixed. Users should update their Linux kernel to the patched versions as provided by their distribution. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel's real-time (RT) spinlock implementation was fixed by correcting the RCU protection in the rt_spin_unlock() function. The flaw caused premature release of RCU protection before unlocking, enabling a UAF scenario. This issue affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a high CVSS score of 9.8. A patch is available to address this vulnerability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72069 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1f0d56d3f1e88f20f6e46109402f8c15d59bac37 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3cfaac77b3c32ac3940df28866de263c3f45d24c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/633cadbc0b8323f5cc140a285d2432089dbb534e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/83f9fb561c1c3917e19f95523dd933c7d30291aa (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/89038cc87d80c77e7aa6f42a64b2573b74af339f (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72069 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72069 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/89038cc87d80c77e7aa6f42a64b2573b74af339f (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (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-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)