CVE-2026-72398: Linux kernel · sctp: add INIT verification after cookie unpacking
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, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 54% 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 +13
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 should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to address this vulnerability. The vendor advisory confirms that the issue has been fixed. Systems running the affected versions should be updated promptly to mitigate the risk.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel SCTP implementation was resolved by adding explicit verification of the INIT chunk after cookie unpacking when cookie authentication is disabled. This prevents processing potentially tampered INIT chunks during the SCTP handshake. The fix also tightens cookie validation and improves parameter bounds checking. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a high CVSS score of 9.8. A patch is available to address this issue.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72398 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/062bcbf8d1f1051fdeb20b94920031b0e2cb95a2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/414c5447fe6a200613dd46d7fdc8454622076cb1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bca3100f550281c2f2418652338bced3b35af0e6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72398 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72398 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/414c5447fe6a200613dd46d7fdc8454622076cb1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (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)