CVE-2026-72408: Linux kernel · geneve: gate GRO hint in geneve_gro_complete() on gs->gro_hint
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 10.0 Critical · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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.
Patches and advisories
- 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)
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. The fix ensures that geneve_gro_complete() honors the socket's GRO hint option consistently with geneve_gro_receive(), preventing out-of-bounds memory access. Systems running affected kernel versions should upgrade to the fixed versions listed (7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 and later). No additional mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2026-72408 is a critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's geneve network driver. It involves improper handling of the Generic Receive Offload (GRO) hint in the geneve_gro_complete() function, leading to an out-of-bounds read in the skb head. This flaw occurs because geneve_gro_complete() acts on an attacker-supplied hint unconditionally, while geneve_gro_receive() only honors the hint if the socket enables it. The vulnerability can cause a kernel crash and potentially allow an attacker to compromise system integrity. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions prior to 7.0.0 with certain builds. A patch is available that gates the complete path on the socket's GRO hint, ensuring consistent behavior and preventing exploitation.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72408 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72408 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/2651c174445884ac9e85622aeade9c1f7b98d8e5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2651c174445884ac9e85622aeade9c1f7b98d8e5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/49c2e7c0a69999a75ef5eaebe1559a20d0b3c15a (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)