CVE-2026-72320: Linux kernel · netfilter: nft_lookup: fix catchall element handling with inverted lookups
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.1 Critical · fixed in 6.8.0-147.147 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 44% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-147.147, 6.8.0-1067.70, 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1 +27
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:NExploitation 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 resolve this issue. The vendor advisory confirms that the flaw has been fixed. Users should update to the patched kernel versions to mitigate the vulnerability.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter nft_lookup subsystem was resolved, addressing incorrect handling of catchall elements with inverted lookups. The flaw caused the lookup evaluation to produce incorrect match results, potentially leading to wrong verdicts in packet filtering decisions. This issue affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a high CVSS score of 9.1, indicating a severe impact on confidentiality and integrity. A patch is available to correct this behavior.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72320 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0ab8880865f9678eb6174e72c1fc4712e44c745c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/238c612357b5a25f03eacf356f95034f8551f218 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e6107a4c74b54cb33e3bce162a63048ae5a6b198 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ef0c7d4b04a0e6ad175323c24bc84e11470dd79d (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72320 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72320 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/e6107a4c74b54cb33e3bce162a63048ae5a6b198 (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8917-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8918-1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/65d35cb555f40529a9edc6bf4beaa3bee917f015 (opens in a new tab)