CVE-2026-72254: Linux kernel · netfilter: nft_fib: reject fib expression on the netdev egress hook
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 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
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 49% 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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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
An official fix is available and should be applied. The vulnerability has been resolved in updated Linux kernel versions. Users should update to patched kernel releases to remediate this issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter nft_fib expression handling on the netdev egress hook could cause a NULL pointer dereference during packet processing. This occurs because the validation function nft_fib_validate() incorrectly applies NF_INET_* masks to netdev hooks, allowing invalid egress chains to pass validation and subsequently fault. The issue has been resolved by adding nft_fib_netdev_validate() to properly restrict fib expression validation to appropriate hooks and limiting nft_fib_validate() to specific protocols.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72254 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4fee43759b489559a491f7c95f9bfa7a1d0c7a10 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/568931f26af4727a51e8521f72efbc78d3b82410 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d01c913febead04a01a5f3a6374d1f45504dc523 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d07955dd34ecae17d35d8c7d0a273a3fba653a8c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f68305267ebda7e839b5e8f77e8d77535a3d5a0f (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72254 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72254 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/d07955dd34ecae17d35d8c7d0a273a3fba653a8c (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)