CVE-2026-72342: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: Fix HV VHCA stats agent registration race
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 15:59 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 9% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1, 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: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 the race condition by reordering initialization and adding synchronization in the mlx5e driver. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. The vendor advisory confirms the availability of a fix. No additional mitigations are indicated beyond applying the patch.
Description
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Mellanox mlx5e driver was fixed. The flaw involved improper initialization timing of a delayed work structure and agent pointer during HV VHCA stats agent registration, which could lead to use of uninitialized pointers and kernel memory corruption. This could cause a NULL function pointer dereference and heap corruption in the kernel. The issue was resolved by reordering initialization steps and adding synchronization to ensure safe agent registration and callback execution.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72342 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/24c77044cdfcf5b8b2e9f3b620d8b9aa392d9add (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/60fddda7207d81fea71463abd403f0b10f74f2e1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/89b25b5f46f488ea3b29b3444864c76944c9075b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b0fd6d3bb06182f19f3b59a53f57b5098b99048a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e8fc3304cb67fb1d7d11ff9ef9abd5fb64e7e1d5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f5677797b094c3ec5fb350eb8ea7710b88a3d018 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72342 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72342 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/89b25b5f46f488ea3b29b3444864c76944c9075b (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8889-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8886-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-3 (opens in a new tab)