What is CVE-2026-72436?

CVE-2026-72436 is a Critical severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10, affecting Linux kernel versions from 4.2 onward and patched in 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97 and others. CVE-2026-72436 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-72436?

CVE-2026-72436 has a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10, rated Critical severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-72436?

Yes, CVE-2026-72436 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 4.2 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

Is CVE-2026-72436 actively exploited?

CVE-2026-72436 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

CVE-2026-72436

Critical

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: ipset: Don't use test_bit() in lockless RCU readers in hash types Sashiko pointed out that there are a few lockless RCU readers using test_bit() which is a relaxed atomic operation and provides no memory barrier guarantees. Use test_bit_acquire() instead where the operation may run parallel with add/del/gc, i.e. is not one from the next cases - protected by region lock - in a set destroy phase - in a new/temporary set creation phase

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2026-08-15

Last modified 2026-08-17

CVSS version 3.1

Patch available

Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

9.8

out of 10

Critical

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Vector string

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 4.2 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97, 6.18.40, 7.1.5, 7.2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from

≥ 4.2

Fixed in

✓ 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

References

6 total

Showing 5 of 6 references View all on NVD

Details

CVE ID CVE-2026-72436

Severity Critical

CVSS score 9.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2026-08-15

Modified 2026-08-17

KEV No

Patch

Yes

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-72436?

CVE-2026-72436 is a Critical severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.2 onward and has been patched in 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97 and others. CVE-2026-72436 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-72436?

CVE-2026-72436 has a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10, rated Critical severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-72436?

Yes. CVE-2026-72436 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 4.2 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
Is CVE-2026-72436 actively exploited?

No. CVE-2026-72436 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.