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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-72408: Linux kernel · geneve: gate GRO hint in geneve_gro_complete() on gs->gro_hint

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0

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

CVSS 3.1 base score
10.0Critical
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
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:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 15 Aug 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq 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

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-38.38
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-38.38
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1014.14
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1014.14
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1017.17
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1017.17
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1016.16
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1016.16
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1014.14
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1014.14
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1008.9
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1008.9

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

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