CVE-2026-72372: Linux kernel · afs: Fix lack of locking around modifications of net->cells_dyn_ino
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% 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 +11
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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 for this vulnerability and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The fix involves proper locking around net->cells_dyn_ino modifications and adjusting cell removal timing. Users should update to patched kernel versions to mitigate this issue. No additional vendor advisory mitigation instructions contradict this approach.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AFS subsystem was fixed by adding proper locking around modifications of net->cells_dyn_ino. The issue involved lack of exclusive locking, which could lead to race conditions during cell removal. This flaw was addressed by taking net->cells_lock exclusively and changing the removal timing to avoid sleeping locks in RCU cleanup context. The vulnerability affects multiple specific Linux kernel versions and has a high severity score of 7.8 CVSS. A patch is available to resolve this issue.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72372 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2ffb70a8a01988046bb207b7d0af9358a8337378 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d8a2fe8847859f4fa4e9a2fa1221c9c1158e66b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/55e841836c6f4646490f7b0347192b7a92d431ba (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e94f92fd56c553a8bf9421c3289e1b85c7c08857 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72372 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72372 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/55e841836c6f4646490f7b0347192b7a92d431ba (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-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)