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major vulnerability· requires attention

Linux kernel flaw in widely deployed krb5 crypto paths can lead to kernel memory corruption and compromise across servers and network services.

Systems

CVE-2026-64439

9.8
Critical
EPSS 0.43%Patch availableJul 27, 2026

Linux kernel krb5 crypto use-after-free allowing kernel memory corruption.

common questions

Is CVE-2026-64439 being exploited?

Not confirmed. CVE-2026-64439 does not appear in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which records only exploitation that has been observed and reported publicly. That is evidence of absence of a report, not evidence the flaw is unattacked. EPSS currently estimates a 0.43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How severe is CVE-2026-64439?

CVE-2026-64439 is rated Critical with a CVSS score of 9.8. Severity describes how bad exploitation would be, not how likely it is: pair it with exploitation evidence before deciding what to patch first.

Is there a patch for CVE-2026-64439?

Yes. A fix has been recorded for CVE-2026-64439. The vendor advisory is the authority on the exact fixed version — apply it from there rather than from a summary.

What does CVE-2026-64439 affect?

CVE-2026-64439 affects Linux kernel (krb5 crypto: rfc3961_simplified/rfc8009_aes2), net/rxrpc (rxgk), fs/afs (cm_security), net/ceph (crypto), and 1 further product or version. Confirm the exact affected versions against the vendor advisory before deciding you are exposed.

What should I do about CVE-2026-64439?

Apply vendor kernel security updates immediately; disable async AEAD modules if unable to patch.

Exploitation status reflects CISA's KEV catalog as we last synced it. Check the catalog directly.

executive summary
technical analysis
affected
Linux kernel (krb5 crypto: rfc3961_simplified/rfc8009_aes2)net/rxrpc (rxgk)fs/afs (cm_security)net/ceph (crypto)Systems with async AEAD provider bound to krb5 enctype
impact

Slab use-after-free in kernel crypto can cause crashes, escalate to kernel RCE or full system compromise via networked krb5 paths.

action required

Immediate action required

affected versions
Linux Linux
  • affected>= 00244da40f7821b242c4612428d4192230dba27f and < ef6feb77e2d91761427c5b773edc9c97e1b706ad
  • affected>= 00244da40f7821b242c4612428d4192230dba27f and < 2b7bd6dccff14b8b632c5244f1fd506918077221
  • affected>= 00244da40f7821b242c4612428d4192230dba27f and < 6c9dddeb582fde005360f4fe02c760d45ca05fb5
  • affected6.15
vendor says fixed in< 6.15, >= 6.18.39 and <= 6.18.*, >= 7.1.4 and <= 7.1.*, >= 7.2 and <= *

As published in the CVE Program record. A version outside these ranges is not a statement that it is unaffected — vendors sometimes understate a range, and distribution-backported builds carry upstream numbers that do not reflect what was patched into them.

how to fix
Remediation steps are tailored for users whose stack is affected. Add this technology to your stack to see the fix checklist.
references
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