GCP-2026-078
Source GCP Kubernetes Security
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in e3f33b0a1d89d738e2b913dab519226eaf76e15b : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:29 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CNA (Linux) | CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 |
|---|
- EPSS
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 55% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in e3f33b0a1d89d738e2b913dab519226eaf76e15b, b3b027ef0cd322bfa839b9aaf5b27551eea54cf6, a47406c769f72c070386985488f1c4d057df86b2 +5
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 15 Oct 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 4 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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AI-suggested
Upgrade your GKE cluster control plane and nodes running Container-Optimized OS to one of the following patched versions or later: 1.36.5-gke.1982000, 1.35.9-gke.1505000, 1.34.12-gke.1539000, 1.33.13-gke.2207000, or 1.32.13-gke.2906000. Patches for GKE 1.37 and Ubuntu node images are in progress. You may apply patch versions from newer release channels if your cluster runs the same minor version in its own release channel to secure nodes until the patch becomes the default. Restrict network access to TCP listeners on nodes, Pods, and control plane IP endpoints to trusted sources using firewall rules and authorized networks to mitigate remote exploitation risk. Follow official Google Kubernetes Engine security bulletins for updates.
Description
A vulnerability (CVE-2026-98432) in the Linux kernel IPv4 TCP stack can cause a kernel panic or container escape, allowing root code execution on the node. It can be triggered locally by an unprivileged process in a container without special capabilities or remotely by a network attacker sending crafted TCP packets with IPv4 options to a TCP listener on nodes, Pods, or the cluster control plane. Clusters that restrict TCP listener access to trusted sources are not exposed to network attacks. The vulnerability affects GKE Standard and Autopilot clusters running Container-Optimized OS versions prior to specified patched releases. Patch versions are available for multiple GKE minor versions, with patches for GKE 1.37 and Ubuntu node images in progress.