CVE-2026-72234: Linux kernel · batman-adv: access unicast_ttvn skb->data only after skb realloc
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 54% 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 +43
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
A patch is available for this vulnerability. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that address this issue. The vendor advisory confirms that the flaw has been resolved in updated kernel releases. No additional mitigation steps are specified beyond applying the patch.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability was identified and resolved in the Linux kernel's batman-adv module. The issue involved improper handling of a buffer reallocation in the function batadv_get_vid(), where a pointer to unicast_packet was not reassigned after the buffer was reallocated, potentially leading to use-after-free conditions. This vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a high CVSS score indicating critical impact. A patch is available to address this flaw.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72234 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7141990add3f75436f2933cb310654cad3b1e3e9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7b162b36de750565404cd3b98315706622c6974f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/979175834a699ccc3c4c0b0ba60ecae0f135a587 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a7b7248798123efbd5fafe58461d57c7cc718af (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9c2c05629e46c1fd43931506d41c56a885a98eb4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/aa9558af859934f24717d4bab97d61004f91a736 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b8afcf799b2cc92c41beebd029e53ed18960184a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed90eb5c68420cdfe67ec1f773324198d2ef6f50 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72234 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72234 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/7141990add3f75436f2933cb310654cad3b1e3e9 (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-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)