CVE-2026-72235: Linux kernel · batman-adv: retrieve ethhdr after potential skb realloc on RX
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, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 27% 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:A/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 to remediate this vulnerability. Users should update to patched kernel versions as provided by their Linux distribution vendors. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's batman-adv module was fixed. The issue involved retrieving the ethernet header after a potential skb buffer reallocation during packet reception, where variables pointing to the old buffer were not properly reassigned. This flaw could lead to use-after-free conditions affecting TT and AP isolation handling. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 8.8 and affects multiple specific Linux kernel versions. A patch is available to address this issue.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72235 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/035e1fed892d3d06002a73ff73668f618a514644 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2cefa5141cab8ec1e4b24cf585958b13f2e3049d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6abf73589bed3f27ee240c08108feb72bed0b9c6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e189f14d1ea28db212b9d70a02131a7ce518012 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/85a71a81854e0e191ad0e533eabb4eff54866feb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a1820344b180cb55af748f102bc536b5c93164db (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b031fc97e1993d29d6c3a0e86a99140528cf31e8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f19259395b44af67f3c274e34237c295b526b859 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72235 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72235 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/035e1fed892d3d06002a73ff73668f618a514644 (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)