CVE-2026-72322: Linux kernel · ipv6: mcast: Fix potential UAF in MLD delayed work
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 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 53% 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: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 that fixes this vulnerability by preventing reference acquisition on devices already being destroyed. Users and administrators should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. The vendor advisory confirms the availability of the patch. No additional mitigation steps are specified beyond applying the update.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's IPv6 multicast listener discovery (MLD) delayed work handling was fixed. The flaw arises from a race condition between device teardown and incoming MLD query processing, which can lead to kernel panic due to accessing freed memory. The issue is addressed by preventing reference acquisition on devices already being destroyed. Multiple specific Linux kernel versions are affected. A high-severity CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 is assigned. A patch is available to remediate this vulnerability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72322 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0401d6cf7877c9be36652385dfcbf7f891b8b590 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0458ba1cda830ba4ccfcd9e19c0891438bcdbe4e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9815e834f5ff8b39e0ea9f0dbd532f4a3b8f0785 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b26518b6896a16b809b1e42986f4ebac7bccc1e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9ce741c22df4fd9546e30306317ac7df3607e48f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ebbebf6cee950d7f1c81990256c0eae9e62572ae (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f03b0a45535d49bdab7e502efaacee205b2a7865 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f12b63ef26a035c5a29b3ef56401e38199010d4a (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72322 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72322 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/9b26518b6896a16b809b1e42986f4ebac7bccc1e (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)