Linux Kernel IPv6 VTI Subsystem Use-After-Free Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

September 14th, 2026
ZDI-26-683 ZDI-CAN-30930

CVE ID

CVE-2026-72463

CVSS Score

7.5 AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors

Linux

Affected Products

Kernel

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the processing of asynchronous XFRM ESP decryptions. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the kernel.

Additional Details

Linux has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/8045c0df98d4f14c54e5cb875f1c9c0ce89fe4ff

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2026-06-10 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2026-09-14 - Coordinated public release of advisory
  • 2026-09-14 - Advisory Updated

Credit

Nico Yip (@_cyeaa_)

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