CVE-2026-72227: Linux kernel · batman-adv: mcast: avoid OOB read of num_dests header
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.1 High · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 26% 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:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/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 confirms that this issue has been fixed. Users should update their Linux kernel to the fixed versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's batman-adv multicast handling could lead to an out-of-bounds read due to improper header size checking. The issue arises from using offsetof() instead of offsetofend() when verifying the size of the num_dests field in the network header, causing the check to always pass incorrectly. This flaw has been resolved in affected Linux kernel versions.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72227 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/38eaed28e250895d56f4b7989bd65479a511c5c3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d1a877670bc2e901241073f022ca8d1b2f85f1c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/80f62893d135f415e7a374dd47b468ec298f7aed (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2b657c9653fcebca828a2ead13f444e0da68817 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72227 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72227 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/38eaed28e250895d56f4b7989bd65479a511c5c3 (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)