CVE-2026-45972: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix potential UAF and double

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-45972?

linux kernel: upgrade to 6.1.165, 6.6.128, 6.12.75, 6.18.14, 6.19.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-45972 being exploited?

CVE-2026-45972 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-45972 affect?

CVE-2026-45972 affects linux kernel. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix potential UAF and double free in smb2_open_file() Zero out @err_iov and @err_buftype before retrying SMB2_open() to prevent an UAF bug if @data != NULL,

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-45972?

Priority 51/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-45972 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting linux kernel. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix potential UAF and double free in smb2_open_file() Zero out @err_iov and @err_buftype before retrying SMB2_open() to prevent an UAF bug if @data != NULL, otherwise a double free.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 74%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416, CWE-825
Published	2026-05-27
Last modified	2026-10-19

Publisher (CNA): kernel.org · Vendor: linux

Last updated 2026-10-19 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-27 14:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-19 20:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linux linux kernel UPGRADE

Affected: >= 6.1.163 and < 6.1.165 · >= 6.6.124 and < 6.6.128 · >= 6.12.70 and < 6.12.75 · >= 6.18.10 and < 6.18.14 · >= 6.19.1 and < 6.19.4 · 6.19

Fixed in: 6.1.165, 6.6.128, 6.12.75, 6.18.14, 6.19.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-45972?

linux kernel: upgrade to 6.1.165, 6.6.128, 6.12.75, 6.18.14, 6.19.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-45972 being exploited?

CVE-2026-45972 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-45972 affect?

CVE-2026-45972 affects linux kernel. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix potential UAF and double free in smb2_open_file() Zero out @err_iov and @err_buftype before retrying SMB2_open() to prevent an UAF bug if @data != NULL,

How urgent is CVE-2026-45972?

Priority 51/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

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References

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