CVE-2026-72278: Linux kernel · KVM: arm64: nv: Re-translate VNCR before injecting abort
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.3 Critical · fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1, 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:N/UI:N/S:C/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 and has been released by Ubuntu and other Linux distributors. Users should update their Linux kernel packages to the fixed versions as provided in the vendor advisory (e.g., Ubuntu Security Notice USN-8816-1) and reboot their systems to apply the changes. Due to ABI changes, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be required. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official updates.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM subsystem for arm64 architecture involving improper handling of VNCR page translations during guest aborts has been resolved. The issue relates to re-translating VNCR before injecting abort faults to ensure correct write permissions and memory ordering. This flaw could allow an attacker to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability affects multiple specific Linux kernel versions and has a high CVSS score of 9.3. A patch is available and included in recent Linux kernel updates distributed by Ubuntu and other vendors.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72278 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a5dd8cf4d58ea28da132c2097cd1c525302ac48 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bb645aa0a4caeaf7f9cd32e9a948594d434c1a8f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ea7a76d7d614b5f82b4d0785f9af3550e860a71a (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72278 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72278 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/bb645aa0a4caeaf7f9cd32e9a948594d434c1a8f (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-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)