CVE-2026-72283

Host-kernel code execution via dangling irqfd producer

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux KVM 6.17 allows local users to execute code in the host kernel through VFIO PCI interrupt routing. When kvm_pi_update_irte() fails during bypass setup, KVM leaves irqfd->producer pointing to a vfio_pci_irq_ctx that can be freed when its vector is disabled. The path requires low-privileged access to KVM and VFIO device nodes and an x86 VFIO PCI configuration; later routing access can corrupt memory or crash the host.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.18%
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 KVM 6.17 allows local users to execute code in the host kernel through VFIO PCI interrupt routing. When kvm_pi_update_irte() fails during bypass setup, KVM leaves irqfd->producer pointing to a vfio_pci_irq_ctx that can be freed when its vector is disabled. The path requires low-privileged access to KVM and VFIO device nodes and an x86 VFIO PCI configuration; later routing access can corrupt memory or crash the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72283
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-825, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

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=6.17
  2. Affected versionversion=77e1b8332d1d7aa786f7515e9bd4055def6a1e06 <d1379888cc4230bac647ec24ab83306afbd03e88
  3. Affected versionversion=77e1b8332d1d7aa786f7515e9bd4055def6a1e06 <d5560b6569cd05ba72c6b33427fbabc6ec46b8cf
  4. Affected versionversion=77e1b8332d1d7aa786f7515e9bd4055def6a1e06 <ed446e8aa894883c08892cfee69782fdf8f6c3ca

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=6.17; version=77e1b8332d1d7aa786f7515e9bd4055def6a1e06 <d1379888cc4230bac647ec24ab83306afbd03e88; version=77e1b8332d1d7aa786f7515e9bd4055def6a1e06 <d5560b6569cd05ba72c6b33427fbabc6ec46b8cf; version=77e1b8332d1d7aa786f7515e9bd4055def6a1e06 <ed446e8aa894883c08892cfee69782fdf8f6c3ca

Published CVSS scores

7.0SUSECVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Linux Kernel CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/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
Privilegesauthenticated
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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