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major vulnerability· requires attention

Linux kernel vulnerability in widely deployed scsi/iSCSI target code with high CVSS that can disrupt storage servers and host OSes.

Systems

CVE-2026-72083

9.8
Critical
EPSS 0.72%Patch availableAug 17, 2026

Linux kernel iSCSI use-after-free allowing kernel memory read or crash

common questions

Is CVE-2026-72083 being exploited?

Not confirmed. CVE-2026-72083 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 0.72% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How severe is CVE-2026-72083?

CVE-2026-72083 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-2026-72083?

Yes. A fix has been recorded for CVE-2026-72083. The vendor advisory is the authority on the exact fixed version — apply it from there rather than from a summary.

What does CVE-2026-72083 affect?

CVE-2026-72083 affects Linux kernel (scsi/target subsystem), iSCSI target servers and storage gateways. Confirm the exact affected versions against the vendor advisory before deciding you are exposed.

What should I do about CVE-2026-72083?

Apply vendor kernel security updates and restrict/isolated iSCSI access immediately

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

executive summary
technical analysis
affected
Linux kernel (scsi/target subsystem)iSCSI target servers and storage gateways
impact

Remote iSCSI initiator can trigger a use-after-free read, causing kernel memory disclosure, system crash (DoS), and potentially privilege escalation.

action required

Immediate action required

affected versions
Linux Linux
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < 7d56f5c868d92c9d504a34a3ea450bce481c7f63
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < 59a2a5a37dc49a641ad6bc64aee34e5a61025ffd
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < 9f8076cc73dfa6b10155978c160587e986b22169
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < a040004846f1fbe687f6ec76d9ccc27b4ead42e4
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < 05b3e37433cf2eaf8867f1c16528aa347bb212ab
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < cb7bdae7fba404852ade34b0c1445fbaf3e54fbb
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < ef2ee18fec92088c7d8877baf7674e89389ccd66
  • affected>= 4949314c7283ea4f9ade182ca599583b89f7edd6 and < fda6a1f3c3d7047b5ce5654487649c2daa738bfc
  • affectedd2227f84ba0e97906153ac83db13213fb2e3938d
  • affected>= 3.2.9 and < 3.3
  • affected3.3
vendor says fixed in< 3.3, >= 5.10.261 and <= 5.10.*, >= 5.15.212 and <= 5.15.*, >= 6.1.178 and <= 6.1.*, >= 6.6.145 and <= 6.6.*, >= 6.12.97 and <= 6.12.*, >= 6.18.40 and <= 6.18.*, >= 7.1.5 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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