CVE-2026-72069: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: locking/rt: Fix the incorrect RCU protect

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLIST

CVE-2026-72069 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting affected software. 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: locking/rt: Fix the incorrect RCU protection in rt_spin_unlock() rt_spin_unlock() releases the RCU protection before unlocking the lock. That opens the door for the following UAF scenario: T1 T2 spin_lock(&p->lock); rcu_read_lock(); invalidate(p); p = rcu_dereference(ptr); rcu_assign_pointer(ptr, NULL); if (!p) return; spin_unlock(&p->lock); spin_lock(&p->lock)

Why this priority

Critical severity
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
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	0.7% (top 46%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2026-08-15
Last modified	2026-10-19

Publisher (CNA): kernel.org

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

Timeline

2026-08-15 06:21 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-19 22:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora ELN · openbao · FIXED · 2.6.5-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-77adf886ae · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-77adf886ae

Fedora 46 · sugar-turtleart · FIXED · 220-16.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-b79483c788 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-b79483c788

Debian 12 · linux · FIXED · 6.1.187-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux)" ge "6.1.187-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · linux · FIXED · 6.12.101-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux)" ge "6.12.101-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 12 · linux-6.12 · FIXED · 6.12.101-1~deb12u1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux-6.12 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux-6.12)" ge "6.12.101-1~deb12u1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 10 · kernel · FIXED · kernel-6.12.0-211.50.1.el10_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:61887 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 9 · kernel · FIXED · kernel-5.14.0-687.44.1.el9_8

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:63129 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 6 · kernel · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 7 · kernel · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 7 · kernel-rt · NOT AFFECTED

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-2026-72069?

No fixed release is listed yet. Watch the vendor advisory and apply any mitigation shown on this page.

Is CVE-2026-72069 being exploited?

CVE-2026-72069 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-2026-72069 affect?

CVE-2026-72069 affects affected software. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: locking/rt: Fix the incorrect RCU protection in rt_spin_unlock() rt_spin_unlock() releases the RCU protection before unlocking the lock. That opens the door for the follo

How urgent is CVE-2026-72069?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities

References

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