CVE-2026-74588: Linux kernel · sctp: keep chunk->transport in step with the list it is queued on
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 42% 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 +27
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 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
A patch is available for this vulnerability. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that address CVE-2026-74588. The Ubuntu security advisory USN-8878-1 confirms that fixes have been released. After applying the update, a system reboot is required to complete remediation.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel SCTP implementation was resolved. The issue occurs because a chunk's transport pointer is not updated when the chunk is moved between transport lists, leading to a dangling pointer if the original transport is freed. This can cause a kernel memory corruption and potentially allow an attacker to cause system compromise. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a high CVSS score of 9.8. A patch is available to fix this issue.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-74588 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1adf929121e13e0b19200bb9fef715b918d483fe (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b3b5eec8b2c30ee237e3c31a6a38de9c39d804d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5ccf35ef0ed6059cdf8b1f4606a6584d5b67166b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6575fb17230814b48b471727c8410c0aadff9274 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b9e2ea2057113f3393990ba646d2d97c719a80d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/874a7c2b5e184f06134fdfde27e9ce9271bafe58 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f2cf069a9a72a2d6b97ca8b4c70e714aac99749 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e2e7c1de0e226ca1b7fea2de57a6c9bca408709b (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-74588 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-74588 (opens in a new tab)
- msrc.microsoft.com/csaf/vex/2026/msrc_cve-2026-74588.json (opens in a new tab)
- support.microsoft.com/lifecycle (opens in a new tab)
- first.org/cvss (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-8886-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8875-2 (opens in a new tab)