CVE-2026-72343: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: Fix HV VHCA stats zero-sized buffer allocation
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, 12:55 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
An official fix is available and should be applied by updating to the patched Linux kernel versions provided by the vendor. The vendor advisory confirms the issue has been resolved. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the update.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver caused a zero-sized buffer allocation that led to a fault when the buffer was accessed. This was due to improper handling of buffer size calculation before certain initialization steps completed, resulting in a NULL-equivalent pointer being used. The issue was fixed by allocating the buffer based on a maximum channel count and improving cleanup to prevent double-free errors.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72343 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/22c1d5ecccf92c849bdca1556179aafc95794baf (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/25f6b929c7e379cbea7cb8caa67b49b2d1efae17 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b3a552cf88e10bb7bda88b29cf1fd8267043d50 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/420aabb32da4381d8d7cdcaa6a77fad9eaceb0a4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b927dcec5f1087942bf123a82e64a3f66475f01 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/abc4c56427f144c96b2827a4db3b90eb5b7349a2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72343 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72343 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/25f6b929c7e379cbea7cb8caa67b49b2d1efae17 (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)