Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc2 macsec macsec_encrypt out-of-bounds

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.48

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc2. The affected element is the function macsec_encrypt of the component macsec. Performing a manipulation results in out-of-bounds. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-72019. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc2. This affects the function macsec_encrypt of the component macsec. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-125. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: macsec: don't read an unset MAC header in macsec_encrypt() macsec_encrypt() reads the Ethernet header via eth_hdr(skb) (skb->head + skb->mac_header) to memmove() the 12 source/destination MAC bytes forward and make room for the SecTAG. On the AF_PACKET SOCK_RAW + PACKET_QDISC_BYPASS transmit path the skb reaches the macsec ndo_start_xmit() with the MAC header unset, so eth_hdr(skb) resolves to skb->head + (u16)~0 and the read is out of bounds: a 12-byte heap over-read that is also emitted on the wire as the frame's outer source/destination MAC. KASAN reports a slab-out-of-bounds read in macsec_start_xmit() on 6.0; on current mainline a CONFIG_DEBUG_NET build flags it as an unset mac header in skb_mac_header(). On the TX path the L2 header is at skb->data, so use skb_eth_hdr(), added by commit 96cc4b69581d ("macvlan: do not assume mac_header is set in macvlan_broadcast()") for exactly this purpose.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-72019 since 08/09/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97, 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch dc9ffa1905e72f026d080880a2e4cfc42aa91000/f21fa533a3ed15ada74106aac4b9ddd078fc6b7a/e17a42199824973cd8212e95b21ffadf4114a21b/2cf10d042562283ff4ae97c02d0993d4f1b5ea29/c39087ad0b97fc11a3b058dfc8db9fd370762cb9/f5089008f90c0a7c5520dff3934e0af00adf322d is able to eliminate this problem.

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Out-of-bounds
CWE: CWE-125 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.178/6.6.145/6.12.97/6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc3
Patch: dc9ffa1905e72f026d080880a2e4cfc42aa91000/f21fa533a3ed15ada74106aac4b9ddd078fc6b7a/e17a42199824973cd8212e95b21ffadf4114a21b/2cf10d042562283ff4ae97c02d0993d4f1b5ea29/c39087ad0b97fc11a3b058dfc8db9fd370762cb9/f5089008f90c0a7c5520dff3934e0af00adf322d

Timelineinfo

08/09/2026 CVE reserved
08/15/2026 +6 days Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-72019 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72019
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390429

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 11:12
Changes: 08/15/2026 11:12 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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