CVE-2026-80668: Linux kernel · netfilter: nf_conntrack_expect: use conntrack GC to reap expectations
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 51% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1 +11
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 28 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 kernel packages. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions listed in the advisory to mitigate this vulnerability.
Description
A high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem (nf_conntrack_expect) has been resolved by replacing the timer API with a garbage collection (GC) worker approach to manage expired connection expectations. This fix addresses a race condition that could lead to use-after-free scenarios by ensuring proper synchronization and cleanup of expectation entries. The vulnerability affects multiple specific Linux kernel versions and has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80668 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ec786f4230c2a9b2eaf97a2d45368933b49d2b2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b8b09dc2bf35a00d4e0556b5d6308c7b917ebda2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-80668 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-80668 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/b8b09dc2bf35a00d4e0556b5d6308c7b917ebda2 (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-3 (opens in a new tab)