CVE-2026-72427

Kernel memory corruption via misindexed BPF effective array

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux's BPF cgroup program array allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through BPF link update operations. replace_effective_prog() and purge_effective_progs() derive an effective-array slot from linear hlist order even though BPF_F_PREORDER changes the array layout, causing replacement to target the wrong slot and detachment to leave a freed program referenced. Triggering requires low-privileged local access and a cgroup hierarchy with preorder BPF attachments; the resulting stale reference can compromise kernel confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.13%
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's BPF cgroup program array allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through BPF link update operations. replace_effective_prog() and purge_effective_progs() derive an effective-array slot from linear hlist order even though BPF_F_PREORDER changes the array layout, causing replacement to target the wrong slot and detachment to leave a freed program referenced. Triggering requires low-privileged local access and a cgroup hierarchy with preorder BPF attachments; the resulting stale reference can compromise kernel confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72427
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-787, 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=4707ad649cf662add3058bff47430817811b048d
  2. Affected versionversion=4b82b181a26cff8bf7adc3a85a88d121d92edeaf <9697db03e010391c55ae75192cbdf30c5a72c114
  3. Affected versionversion=4b82b181a26cff8bf7adc3a85a88d121d92edeaf <b584f107ab90222bd825dcb4c5977326ff684109
  4. Affected versionversion=4b82b181a26cff8bf7adc3a85a88d121d92edeaf <f08aaee3152d0dfc578b3f2586932d82062701dd
  5. Affected versionversion=555c0b713ca83968d3c843cb15485b9ba3367b1b <41b4320b84fdafe1ab586b06453d30d50415db59
  6. Affected versionversion=6.12.31 <6.12.97
  7. Affected versionversion=6.14.9 <6.15
  8. Affected versionversion=6.15
  9. Affected versionversion=6.6.93 <6.6.145
  10. Affected versionversion=bc8023ef3b11410682e5d4990e05e5bc2d3e1c94 <525e408c27ae714e538b8c608c3a974df3ab6c92

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=4707ad649cf662add3058bff47430817811b048d; version=4b82b181a26cff8bf7adc3a85a88d121d92edeaf <9697db03e010391c55ae75192cbdf30c5a72c114; version=4b82b181a26cff8bf7adc3a85a88d121d92edeaf <b584f107ab90222bd825dcb4c5977326ff684109; version=4b82b181a26cff8bf7adc3a85a88d121d92edeaf <f08aaee3152d0dfc578b3f2586932d82062701dd; version=555c0b713ca83968d3c843cb15485b9ba3367b1b <41b4320b84fdafe1ab586b06453d30d50415db59; version=6.12.31 <6.12.97; version=6.14.9 <6.15; version=6.15; version=6.6.93 <6.6.145; version=bc8023ef3b11410682e5d4990e05e5bc2d3e1c94 <525e408c27ae714e538b8c608c3a974df3ab6c92

Published CVSS scores

7.8Linux CNA via cve.orgCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.0Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.0Oracle LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
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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