Linux kernel flaw can crash or allow kernel compromise across widely deployed OSes and infrastructure; high-impact for most organizations.
CVE-2026-72463
Kernel xfrm use-after-free in async resumption allows kernel crash or compromise.
Is CVE-2026-72463 being exploited?
Not confirmed. CVE-2026-72463 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 0.38% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How severe is CVE-2026-72463?
CVE-2026-72463 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-2026-72463?
Yes. A fix has been recorded for CVE-2026-72463. The vendor advisory is the authority on the exact fixed version — apply it from there rather than from a summary.
What does CVE-2026-72463 affect?
CVE-2026-72463 affects Linux kernel (xfrm/IPsec subsystem), Virtual Tunnel Interface (VTI) devices, Linux distributions using affected kernels. Confirm the exact affected versions against the vendor advisory before deciding you are exposed.
What should I do about CVE-2026-72463?
Apply vendor kernel updates and reboot affected hosts; restrict IPsec/VTI exposure until patched.
Exploitation status reflects CISA's KEV catalog as we last synced it. Check the catalog directly.
Crafted network packets can trigger a use-after-free of tunnel devices, causing kernel crash (DoS) or possible kernel code execution/privilege escalation.
Immediate action required
- affected>= 1c428b03840094410c5fb6a5db30640486bbbfcb and < 63a30015199912bd5055bead8001b1ae68a67cdb
- affected>= 1c428b03840094410c5fb6a5db30640486bbbfcb and < 8045c0df98d4f14c54e5cb875f1c9c0ce89fe4ff
- affected4236c30b437b80f673b9e08c8fae38b8d471ac9e
- affected0f451b43c88bf2b9c038b414be580efee42e031b
- affected5002beda5cac69d522dc54da0d5d463ed9c963d2
- affected>= 6.12.94 and < 6.13
- affected>= 6.18.23 and < 6.19
- affected>= 6.19.13 and < 6.20
- affected7.0
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.