CVE-2026-72373: Linux kernel · afs: Fix missing NULL pointer check in afs_break_some_callbacks()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 6.8.0-147.147 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 49% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-147.147, 6.8.0-1067.70, 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 +26
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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 should be applied to affected linux-hwe-edge kernel versions. The vendor advisory confirms that this issue has been resolved. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AFS subsystem was fixed by adding a missing NULL pointer check in the afs_break_some_callbacks() function. The flaw involved not verifying if afs_lookup_volume_rcu() returned NULL, which could occur if the specified volume was unknown. This issue affects specific versions of the linux-hwe-edge kernel. The vulnerability has a high severity score and a patch is available.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72373 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5492799ec5d27be3bd454dcaf046bc7054f637ae (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/794a01110390c1b76f59ece773fb0fbfd89c6f5c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a99a617701186dc68c7b330d35fc2253f48e2ab2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e3e59ff22a0de01ed0cf3a3e25558811abc3b70a (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72373 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72373 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/794a01110390c1b76f59ece773fb0fbfd89c6f5c (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8917-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8918-1 (opens in a new tab)