CVE-2026-72136: Linux kernel · xfrm: xfrm_interface: 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, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% 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 and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this issue has been fixed. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions as provided by their distribution. No additional mitigation is required once patched.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's xfrm_interface component allowed a caller with CAP_NET_ADMIN capability in one network namespace to modify an interface in another network namespace without proper authorization. This was due to insufficient capability checks in the changelink function. The issue has been resolved by requiring CAP_NET_ADMIN in the device's network namespace before allowing changes. Multiple specific Linux kernel versions are affected, and a patch is available.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72136 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/04c1aa57d08471b1953bf27c84ac9b3d78d71831 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/095515d89b19b6cc19dfcdc846f97403ed1ebce3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/37b61946d278c7deb0d40ba8f2b6fc0478d61dab (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ba2b2ef7d6a63b190f15cfc2b4ba0fba59928ea (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/80ec68bba11f7f387c0e4099c2d7b2c84943eb99 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ca2a19a987a7d1cb4c916ed9723a1c6993b4276 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bdfd1c21d90e628a58a9de79e024cdfcbedfa15c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e9c90756f10da334fb31552e52c61f1dba69f491 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72136 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72136 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/095515d89b19b6cc19dfcdc846f97403ed1ebce3 (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)