CVE-2026-72426: Linux kernel · bpf: Preserve pointer spill metadata during half-slot cleanup
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 20:18 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/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
Weaponized: 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 12 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-fde-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther 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 fix is available for this vulnerability. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that preserve pointer spill metadata during half-slot cleanup. The affected versions listed should be upgraded to patched releases. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official fix.
Description
CVE-2026-72426 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF subsystem related to improper handling of pointer spill metadata during stack slot cleanup. The flaw occurs when half of a stack spill slot is cleaned up incorrectly, causing pointer metadata to be cleared improperly. This can lead to unsafe treatment of pointer spills as scalar reads, potentially allowing unauthorized memory access or corruption. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been resolved by preserving pointer spill metadata during cleanup.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72426 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72426 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/3a354149bceacadbcf7d7b4766f5ef26a85892ab (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f9278b22cda6fd2525049930157b79b4036b4ef (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a354149bceacadbcf7d7b4766f5ef26a85892ab (opens in a new tab)