CVE-2026-72318: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cifs: validate DFS referral string offset

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CRITICAL 9.4REMOTEWATCHLIST

CVE-2026-72318 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.4) 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: cifs: validate DFS referral string offsets parse_dfs_referrals() validates that the response header and referral array fit in the received buffer, but each referral also contains string offsets supplied by the server. Those offsets are used to compute the DfsPath and NetworkAddress string pointers without checking whether they still point inside the response buffer. A malforme

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	9.4 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 52%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2026-08-15
Last modified	2026-10-16

Publisher (CNA): kernel.org

Last updated 2026-10-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Timeline

2026-08-15 06:22 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-16 19:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · rubygem-mechanize · FIXED · 2.14.2-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-d2e3b5fc5d · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-d2e3b5fc5d

Fedora ELN · opkssh · FIXED · 0.19.1-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-45a9706969 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-45a9706969

Ubuntu 20.04 · linux · NO FIX YET

Ubuntu 22.04 · linux · NO FIX YET

Ubuntu 24.04 · linux · FIXED · 6.8.0-147.147

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux)" ge "6.8.0-147.147" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Ubuntu 20.04 · linux-hwe-5.15 · NO FIX YET

Ubuntu 22.04 · linux-hwe-6.8 · NO FIX YET

Debian 12 · linux · FIXED · 6.1.180-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux)" ge "6.1.180-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · linux · FIXED · 6.12.100-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux)" ge "6.12.100-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 10 · kernel · FIXED · kernel-6.12.0-211.65.1.el10_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:81406 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 8 · kernel · FIXED · kernel-4.18.0-553.173.1.el8_10

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:82807 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 9 · kernel · FIXED · kernel-5.14.0-687.57.1.el9_8

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:81552 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 6 · kernel · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 7 · kernel · NOT AFFECTED

Amazon Linux 2023 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2023-2026-2071 · source

sudo dnf update --advisory=ALAS2023-2026-2071

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-2026-72318?

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

Is CVE-2026-72318 being exploited?

CVE-2026-72318 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-2026-72318 affect?

CVE-2026-72318 affects affected software. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.4). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cifs: validate DFS referral string offsets parse_dfs_referrals() validates that the response header and referral array fit in the received buffer, but each referral also

How urgent is CVE-2026-72318?

Priority 55/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities

References

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