Kernel compromise via nonlinear IP6IP6 header parsing
Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026
Memory corruption in Linux kernel 7.0 through 7.1.4 allows remote attackers to compromise the kernel via crafted IP6IP6 traffic. nf_flow_ip6_tunnel_proto uses skb_header_pointer without pulling the outer IPv6 header into linear headroom, while an incorrect offset drives later direct reads and writable packet operations against misaligned data. Exposure requires an nftables flowtable forwarding IP6IP6 traffic; successful exploitation permits kernel data access, modification, or a panic.
Summary
What happened
Memory corruption in Linux kernel 7.0 through 7.1.4 allows remote attackers to compromise the kernel via crafted IP6IP6 traffic. nf_flow_ip6_tunnel_proto uses skb_header_pointer without pulling the outer IPv6 header into linear headroom, while an incorrect offset drives later direct reads and writable packet operations against misaligned data. Exposure requires an nftables flowtable forwarding IP6IP6 traffic; successful exploitation permits kernel data access, modification, or a panic.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-72442
- Published
- Aug 15, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 15, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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?
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- Affected versionversion=7.0
- Affected versionversion=d98103575dcdd3a730e0901ab457791a9ac6930c <7f8d816a9aa2729d270418f00c9ef5e85bfc1b31
- Affected versionversion=d98103575dcdd3a730e0901ab457791a9ac6930c <f4c2d8668d85ed125985da663c824a9c25498257
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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