CVE-2026-72070: Linux kernel · wifi: libertas_tf: fix use-after-free in lbtf_free_adapter()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% 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 +11
Exploitation 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 fixes this vulnerability by changing the timer deletion method to timer_delete_sync(), ensuring safe memory handling. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability was identified and fixed in the Linux kernel's libertas_tf WiFi driver. The issue occurs in the lbtf_free_adapter() function, which calls timer_delete() without waiting for a running timer callback to complete. This can lead to the callback dereferencing freed memory if a command times out during device removal. The fix involves using timer_delete_sync() to ensure any in-flight callbacks complete before freeing memory.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72070 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/066b59e84f90d270cc15f0370166155aca507630 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4714e95f5d61cb9c5c7c6c4e68b618f37bc6ffcf (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/aa6dcd5c8dd9ba1d7d0f60093bcda41c0d6d438d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcf7968cb97ce4312588042cf2712f04caff6d8f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fcff712d0e3d183843ec3916470ee6cc3455baad (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72070 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72070 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/aa6dcd5c8dd9ba1d7d0f60093bcda41c0d6d438d (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)