CVE-2026-99281: Linux kernel · tun: Require CAP_NET_ADMIN to attach to an ownerless device
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in ffdf678dd16610e3f006dac904bd37c09684673c : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 7 Nov 2026, 16:04 UTC
Rated High by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
Thin evidence
One scorer or none- Patch
- Available – fixed in ffdf678dd16610e3f006dac904bd37c09684673c, e53d1cf05da8ea58a5743b7ce5894fb51b0b9700, 2f92c0286cfd58bff9d6d54c01a771073d5eb775
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 7 Nov 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 7 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade Linux kernel to ffdf678dd16610e3f006dac904bd37c09684673c, e53d1cf05da8ea58a5743b7ce5894fb51b0b9700 or 2f92c0286cfd58bff9d6d54c01a771073d5eb775.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel to require CAP_NET_ADMIN capability when attaching to ownerless tun devices. Users should update to a kernel version that includes this fix. No additional mitigation is required as the patch addresses the vulnerability directly.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's tun driver allowed attaching to ownerless tun devices without requiring CAP_NET_ADMIN capability. This issue has been fixed by enforcing CAP_NET_ADMIN for attaching to devices that have no assigned owner or group, closing a loophole that previously allowed unauthorized access. The fix preserves existing ownership checks and corrects the capability check placement.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-99281 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2f92c0286cfd58bff9d6d54c01a771073d5eb775 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e53d1cf05da8ea58a5743b7ce5894fb51b0b9700 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ffdf678dd16610e3f006dac904bd37c09684673c (opens in a new tab)