CVE-2026-72317: Linux kernel · SUNRPC: pin upper rpc_clnt across the TLS connect_worker
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 50% 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 +13
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/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
A patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to address this vulnerability. The fix properly manages reference counting of the rpc_clnt object during TLS connection setup, preventing use-after-free conditions. Users should update to patched kernel versions as provided by their Linux distribution vendors.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SUNRPC TLS connect path (CVE-2026-72317) has been resolved. The flaw involves improper reference counting of the upper rpc_clnt object during TLS handshake failures, leading to potential dereferencing of freed memory. This vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a high CVSS score of 9.8. A patch is available that properly pins and releases the rpc_clnt reference during the TLS connect worker lifecycle to prevent this issue.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72317 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/46bc86c833956219bbfd246c1ffd832a479c5199 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b0427ba582d143a364301f825f4e32272f06d2d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/79cd550f8c884523b604fbfa43eb02def74d6224 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7a65b41b657b71d5a77861f47dd13eb4bc8e10d0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d49f6d098ed48775b9d27a9f9c5c220fdf76f102 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72317 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72317 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/46bc86c833956219bbfd246c1ffd832a479c5199 (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-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)