CVE-2026-72366: Linux kernel · netfs: Fix netfs_create_write_req() to handle async cache object creation
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, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 51% 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 +12
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 has been released as part of the Ubuntu security update USN-8816-1. Users should update their Linux kernel packages to the fixed versions and reboot their systems to apply the changes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary. Follow vendor instructions carefully to ensure complete remediation.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfs subsystem was fixed by correcting the handling of asynchronous cache object creation in netfs_create_write_req(). The issue caused the function to skip caching improperly, potentially leading to incorrect behavior during write operations. This flaw has been addressed by removing cookie checks and delegating control to fscache_begin_write_operation(). The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 9.8 and affects multiple specific Linux kernel versions. A patch is available, and users should update and reboot to apply the fix.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72366 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1188a9846fadeacf9d1430b528e5217f749d665b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ab75e445c161c4cb504aa98e20ce1dd1ecd8e9a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dbd6f56d975b23241b7bbb11bb8f562af548a0aa (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72366 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72366 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/dbd6f56d975b23241b7bbb11bb8f562af548a0aa (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)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/aee03fbc8803a40d65e20f1af816a7219048a426 (opens in a new tab)