CVE-2026-72296: Linux kernel · net: ife: require ETH_HLEN to be pullable in ife_decode()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.1 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 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: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 patch is available for the affected linux-azure kernel versions. Users should apply the updates to the specified kernel versions to remediate this vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ife network module could cause a system crash due to improper handling of malformed IFE frames. The issue arises because the inner Ethernet header may not be fully accessible, leading to a crash when processed. This flaw has been fixed by ensuring the inner Ethernet header is fully pullable before processing. The vulnerability affects specific linux-azure kernel versions and has a high CVSS score of 9.1, indicating critical impact on confidentiality and availability. A patch is available and should be applied to affected systems.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72296 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1cb42ec10294a55380e52e674b3df2b962648242 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5526d1997aea6c9bd865ca4d4894b52e799d735c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/70013f9163bef7fbd9fa62f81cf91b2a7ba66163 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c8818e52fddb247ff3214622401a4de6ff8482e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9406f6012b7343661efb516a11c62d4db2b62f75 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9433578bff9c100c466a6354574892e55293cb8f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b69ad768cd4a2ef4e07c18492ae85438ed17c7cb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/be272e159dfe1207b67332ad6e17adcf59b4ea4b (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72296 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72296 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/9406f6012b7343661efb516a11c62d4db2b62f75 (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)