CVE-2026-72489: Linux kernel · staging: nvec: fix use-after-free in nvec_rx_completed()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +42
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
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
An official patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this issue has been fixed. Users should update their systems to the patched kernel versions to remediate this vulnerability.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NVIDIA Tegra embedded controller (NVEC) staging driver was fixed. The flaw occurs in the nvec_rx_completed() function when it accesses freed memory after returning a message to the pool. This can lead to reading stale or overwritten data. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions related to NVIDIA Tegra. A patch is available to address this vulnerability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72489 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/08626fcfe12308ca3f8b22c538ba7dee0b2dce7a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/26813881181deb3a32fbb59eadb2599cbe8423f6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5de04caa46b635e180cecbd164e333eca535db94 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b2ea886ebdae44a2394029844a4e78f58e1587d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f7fe4165a1f1014bdadc8e744c0fd3c2d8c0b89 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a37625c7b688fcf68a54263528eccbabfd7fa17a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bb3d592c7d6c4ec8ac6640c690ca13298e7e8e90 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f19a5bc059051143c489dd6f79a0f9c3bfd13aea (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72489 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72489 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/26813881181deb3a32fbb59eadb2599cbe8423f6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8876-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8878-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8879-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8877-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8875-1 (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)