CVE-2026-72255: Linux kernel · netfilter: nf_queue: pin bridge device while NFQUEUE holds fake dst
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 7% 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:L/AC:L/PR:L/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 fix is available and should be applied. The vulnerability has been resolved by changes in the Linux kernel to properly pin the bridge device while packets are queued in NFQUEUE. Users should update to patched kernel versions to mitigate this issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter NFQUEUE subsystem was resolved. The issue involved the handling of a fake routing table embedded in the bridge device structure, which could be kept alive improperly after bridge teardown, potentially leading to use-after-free conditions. The fix ensures the bridge device is pinned while packets are queued in NFQUEUE, preventing premature freeing of resources.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72255 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/01ace27af47801dd7f6b839e782b62863af979cc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0ca505346c5e2905ab7b5313af801fcf38f594a8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3f03a2d225c668283110ad5f9ff159ba4591e2c7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/430521af7fe8a9c08f5a2554224a35f11f51d99e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/47b3af24de5fbed4bf2952de0f5294ef1a338a26 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c9c9b37f8c5505224e8d206184df3bb668ee00cf (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72255 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72255 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/c9c9b37f8c5505224e8d206184df3bb668ee00cf (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (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-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)