CVE-2026-72041Network attack vector

Kernel compromise via partial-send message-accounting corruption

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Memory corruption in the Linux kernel espintcp component allows remote attackers to crash the kernel or execute code via partial TCP sends. The send path manually uncharges data and advances offsets without preserving sk_msg consistency, causing use-after-free, double-free, and corrupted scatterlist accounting when only part of a message is sent. An unauthenticated IKE-over-TCP peer can force partial sends by withholding reads or advertising a zero window; local users can also trigger the path without CAP_NET_ADMIN.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.69%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in the Linux kernel espintcp component allows remote attackers to crash the kernel or execute code via partial TCP sends. The send path manually uncharges data and advances offsets without preserving sk_msg consistency, causing use-after-free, double-free, and corrupted scatterlist accounting when only part of a message is sent. An unauthenticated IKE-over-TCP peer can force partial sends by withholding reads or advertising a zero window; local users can also trigger the path without CAP_NET_ADMIN.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72041
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-805, T1499.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 15, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.6
  2. Affected versionversion=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <007800408002d871f5699bdb944f985896730b8f
  3. Affected versionversion=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <14c0b42c8a2cd9b5361bbff45b52f69c62c6a286
  4. Affected versionversion=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <54d73f18f8919735f4d04d6f43374f75756c0180
  5. Affected versionversion=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <a338ce41bc933d8f74c39d9b3b6f1d8ca53d9714
  6. Affected versionversion=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <a66d45e0ce6d73cd79962d422388e61bfaf0cb50

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.6; version=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <007800408002d871f5699bdb944f985896730b8f; version=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <14c0b42c8a2cd9b5361bbff45b52f69c62c6a286; version=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <54d73f18f8919735f4d04d6f43374f75756c0180; version=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <a338ce41bc933d8f74c39d9b3b6f1d8ca53d9714; version=e27cca96cd68fa2c6814c90f9a1cfd36bb68c593 <a66d45e0ce6d73cd79962d422388e61bfaf0cb50

Published CVSS scores

9.8LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-805Buffer Access with Incorrect Length Value
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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