CVE-2026-72112

Local code execution via io_uring BPF use-after-free

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux 7.1 io_uring BPF operations allows local users to execute code through repeated struct_ops registration. io_install_bpf() overwrites an io_uring_bpf_ops map's ops->priv back-pointer when that map is bound to a second ring, orphaning the first context and leaving its loop_step aimed at a freed trampoline. Reaching the dangling call through io_uring_enter() requires both CAP_BPF and CAP_PERFMON; the resulting call targets freed executable kernel memory.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.15%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Linux 7.1 io_uring BPF operations allows local users to execute code through repeated struct_ops registration. io_install_bpf() overwrites an io_uring_bpf_ops map's ops->priv back-pointer when that map is bound to a second ring, orphaning the first context and leaving its loop_step aimed at a freed trampoline. Reaching the dangling call through io_uring_enter() requires both CAP_BPF and CAP_PERFMON; the resulting call targets freed executable kernel memory.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72112
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-825, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

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

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=7.1
  2. Affected versionversion=98f37634b12b17ad5c56db8fb63cf9d7dc55d74c <0639ea767fe04c288a8d6cb826100fe3d95d4936
  3. Affected versionversion=98f37634b12b17ad5c56db8fb63cf9d7dc55d74c <3afc64c61ce906a04f073ca350b46de10e8302f9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=7.1; version=98f37634b12b17ad5c56db8fb63cf9d7dc55d74c <0639ea767fe04c288a8d6cb826100fe3d95d4936; version=98f37634b12b17ad5c56db8fb63cf9d7dc55d74c <3afc64c61ce906a04f073ca350b46de10e8302f9

Published CVSS scores

5.5Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
7.8Linux CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-825Expired Pointer Dereference
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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