CVE-2026-72157

Kernel memory corruption via excessive ThunderboltIP frames

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

An out-of-bounds write in the Linux Thunderbolt networking driver allows remote attackers to corrupt kernel memory via crafted packets. tbnet_check_frame() accepts peer-supplied frame_count values up to 64, letting tbnet_poll() add more than 17 fragments and write past skb_shinfo(skb)->frags[]. A directly connected ThunderboltIP peer needs no authentication or user interaction; the overwrite can compromise kernel confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.34%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

An out-of-bounds write in the Linux Thunderbolt networking driver allows remote attackers to corrupt kernel memory via crafted packets. tbnet_check_frame() accepts peer-supplied frame_count values up to 64, letting tbnet_poll() add more than 17 fragments and write past skb_shinfo(skb)->frags[]. A directly connected ThunderboltIP peer needs no authentication or user interaction; the overwrite can compromise kernel confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72157
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-787, T1210
Attack vector
adjacent
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

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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=4.15
  2. Affected versionversion=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <2b3b4e5ff5a58ad32817824b0310e63908b12052
  3. Affected versionversion=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <55d9895f89970501fe126d1026b586b04a224c27
  4. Affected versionversion=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <e27beb4536cbf1d59e2d8c2840e87d972aba906f
  5. Affected versionversion=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <e5824d5b841d99a2bcdd4e2c256643293bbc22c1
  6. Affected versionversion=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <fe6b606fbf0c3beb94ccf17fcf31d8c2138264e3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=4.15; version=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <2b3b4e5ff5a58ad32817824b0310e63908b12052; version=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <55d9895f89970501fe126d1026b586b04a224c27; version=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <e27beb4536cbf1d59e2d8c2840e87d972aba906f; version=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <e5824d5b841d99a2bcdd4e2c256643293bbc22c1; version=e69b6c02b4c3b8d03be7136f90dd9551ad5a5a5e <fe6b606fbf0c3beb94ccf17fcf31d8c2138264e3

Published CVSS scores

8.8Linux kernel CVE teamCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.1Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

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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