CVE-2026-80924: Linux kernel · crypto: krb5 – use kfree_sensitive() for derived key buffers
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 25% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 9 Sep 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
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 fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel to use kfree_sensitive() for freeing derived key buffers, securely erasing sensitive key material. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the provided data; therefore, check the vendor advisory or Linux kernel mailing lists for the specific patch and update instructions.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: krb5 - use kfree_sensitive() for derived key buffers crypto_krb5_prepare_encryption() and crypto_krb5_prepare_checksum() free the buffer holding the freshly derived keys with plain kfree(), leaving the key material behind in the freed slab object.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80924 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/731a5b6fb4c1705f9405d9029dd64ea81e336207 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/91b96dc9cc250cd16751f53de525cf3442ca0962 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a1bf79365794783b19f5b09e8a23f7ee311e8931 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7d53dd3f267e46a784f219a75072f2f400d42b9 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-80924 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-80924 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/f7d53dd3f267e46a784f219a75072f2f400d42b9 (opens in a new tab)