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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-72473: Linux kernel · xprtrdma: Decouple req recycling from RPC completion rl_kref formerly served two

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 6.8.0-147.147 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.

Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 02:46 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
9.8Critical
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
Patch
Available – fixed in 6.8.0-147.147, 6.8.0-1067.70, 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1 +27
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/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
  • <7.0.0-34.34
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-34.34
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1013.13
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1013.13
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
  • <7.0.0-1013.13
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1013.13
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1007.8
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1007.8

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

AI-suggested

A patch addressing this vulnerability is available in Linux kernel versions 6.8.0-147.147, 6.8.0-1067.70, 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1, 6.8.0-1071.79, 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1, and related fixed releases. Users and administrators should update affected Linux kernel versions to these or later patched versions to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official fix.

Description

CVE-2026-72473 is a critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's xprtrdma subsystem involving improper reference counting for RPC request recycling. The flaw allowed the request to be freed prematurely while the hardware might still be accessing DMA buffers, risking use-after-free conditions. The issue was addressed by decoupling the reference counts for RPC completion and send-side operations, ensuring requests are only freed after both owners release them. This fix prevents potential memory corruption and privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions prior to fixed releases in the 6.8.x and 7.0.x series and certain specific older versions. A patch is available and should be applied promptly.

References

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