CVE-2026-72068

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu() update_rlimit_cpu() converts the RLIMIT_CPU value to nanoseconds with u64 nsecs = rlim_new * NSEC_PER_SEC; On 32-bit kernels both rlim_new (unsigned long) and NSEC_PER_SEC (1000000000L) are 32-bit, so the multiplication is performed in unsigned long and truncated for rlim_new > 4 seconds before being widened to u64. The same file already casts to u64 for the matching computation in check_process_timers(): u64 softns = (u64)soft * NSEC_PER_SEC; As a result, the truncated value is installed into the CPUCLOCK_PROF expiry cache (nextevt), causing the process CPU timer to be programmed to fire prematurely for any RLIMIT_CPU soft limit >= 5 seconds. The actual SIGXCPU/SIGKILL decision in check_process_timers() already casts to u64 and is therefore correct, so limit enforcement is not broken; only the expiry-cache programming is wrong. Apply the same cast here so both paths convert rlim_cur identically. 64-bit kernels are unaffected.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-08-15
Last modified 2026-08-15
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 4.11 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.261, 5.15.212, 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97, 6.18.40, 7.1.5, 7.2-rc1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 4.11
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.261 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.212 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.178 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.145 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.97 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.40 6.18.x ✓ 7.1.5 7.1.x ✓ 7.2-rc1

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-72068?

    CVE-2026-72068 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.11 onward and has been patched in 5.10.261, 5.15.212, 6.1.178 and others. CVE-2026-72068 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-72068?

    Yes. CVE-2026-72068 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.261, 5.15.212, 6.1.178 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 4.11 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-72068 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-72068 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.