Kernel-level memory-corruption in widely deployed Linux kernels (XDP/AF_XDP) can crash or enable escalation across many environments; impacts core infrastructure.
CVE-2026-81002
Linux kernel XDP/AF_XDP zero-copy bug causes kernel memory corruption and panic.
Is CVE-2026-81002 being exploited?
Not confirmed. CVE-2026-81002 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 0.52% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How severe is CVE-2026-81002?
CVE-2026-81002 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-2026-81002?
Yes. A fix has been recorded for CVE-2026-81002. The vendor advisory is the authority on the exact fixed version — apply it from there rather than from a summary.
What does CVE-2026-81002 affect?
CVE-2026-81002 affects Linux kernel (XDP/AF_XDP, cpumap), Systems using AF_XDP zero-copy or cpumap redirection. Confirm the exact affected versions against the vendor advisory before deciding you are exposed.
What should I do about CVE-2026-81002?
Apply kernel patches/backports immediately and reboot affected hosts
Exploitation status reflects CISA's KEV catalog as we last synced it. Check the catalog directly.
Out-of-bounds write via AF_XDP zero-copy cpumap redirection: kernel panic, memory corruption and potential local privilege escalation or RCE.
Immediate action required
- affected>= b0d1beeff2a97a0cf1965ea8f1d13b8973f22582 and < 444216dacdbebd3e52d5e704facafbb230da09e9
- affected>= b0d1beeff2a97a0cf1965ea8f1d13b8973f22582 and < 15d1f3c0dbe7a740f779337deb39f23cd8d002c8
- affected>= b0d1beeff2a97a0cf1965ea8f1d13b8973f22582 and < 68d7cc5512238693670fc19c7a615df631e10edf
- affected>= b0d1beeff2a97a0cf1965ea8f1d13b8973f22582 and < 71283aaa6c65b3cec84caf1dc78560985737641f
- affected4.20
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.