CVE-2026-74656: Linux kernel · ipv4: fix use-after-free in fib_nhc_update_mtu()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% 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:L/AC:L/PR:L/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 and should be applied promptly. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this issue has been fixed in updated linux-aws kernel packages. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions and reboot their systems to apply the changes. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's IPv4 nexthop exception handling (fib_nhc_update_mtu) was resolved. The issue arises from improper synchronization when walking the nexthop exception table, potentially leading to memory corruption. This flaw could allow local attackers to cause system compromise. Multiple specific linux-aws kernel versions are affected. A patch is available to fix this vulnerability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-74656 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a28a4b22dde92f9d293b94236314b8d6181dc4a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/63996ffc594d128ccec8fc0983f91effd2d3adc4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bc5bde9ce3cc36502839dfe98e068f7303a50982 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dfe388da13aa784851e5ebbea90afbb099075761 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e00f7d2b5f2540a3415a229c982af7a25ff6362e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1e602d6b22d5cb1641c4459c487eb18bf569e0a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed503eaad62f20cdd5122d7c3078a648a99c8f16 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fd39e711866498ae94fcf9acf6f422a4f045b681 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-74656 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-74656 (opens in a new tab)
- msrc.microsoft.com/csaf/vex/2026/msrc_cve-2026-74656.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)