CVE-2026-72451: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: Fix xfrm state cache insertion race

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLIST

CVE-2026-72451 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: xfrm: Fix xfrm state cache insertion race The xfrm input state cache insertion code checks the validity of the state before acquiring the global xfrm_state_lock. Thus it's possible for someone else to kill the state after it passed the validity check, and then the insertion will add the dead state to the cache. Fix this by moving the validity check inside the lock. This enti

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	0.7% (top 48%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2026-08-15
Last modified	2026-08-17

Publisher (CNA): kernel.org

Last updated 2026-08-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Timeline

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

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora ELN · rust-snpguest · FIXED · 0.11.0-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-baa01ba6c8 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-baa01ba6c8

Fedora 46 · rust-sev · FIXED · 8.0.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-df06b5fb0c · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-df06b5fb0c

Debian 12 · linux · NOT AFFECTED

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 · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 6 · kernel · DEFERRED

RHEL 7 · kernel · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 7 · kernel-rt · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 8 · 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-2026-72451?

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

Is CVE-2026-72451 being exploited?

CVE-2026-72451 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-2026-72451 affect?

CVE-2026-72451 affects affected software. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: Fix xfrm state cache insertion race The xfrm input state cache insertion code checks the validity of the state before acquiring the global xfrm_state_lock. Thus it

How urgent is CVE-2026-72451?

Priority 57/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities

References

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