Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc1 sch_multiq net/sched/sch_multiq.c multiq_dequeue null pointer dereference

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7.2	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc1 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function multiq_dequeue of the file net/sched/sch_multiq.c of the component sch_multiq. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-72036. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc1. This issue affects the function multiq_dequeue of the file net/sched/sch_multiq.c of the component sch_multiq. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/sched: sch_multiq: Replace direct dequeue call with peek and qdisc_dequeue_peeked multiq_dequeue() takes a packet from a band's child with a direct ->dequeue() call after multiq_peek() peeked it. When the child is non-work-conserving the peek stashes the skb in the child's gso_skb, so the direct dequeue returns a different skb and orphans the stash, desyncing the child's qlen/backlog. With a qfq child reached through a peeking parent (e.g. tbf) this re-enters the child on an emptied list and dereferences NULL, panicking the kernel from softirq on ordinary egress. Take the packet through qdisc_dequeue_peeked(), as sch_prio already does and as sch_red and sch_sfb were just fixed to do. The helper is a no-op when the child has no stash, so a work-conserving child is unaffected.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-72036 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful 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 5.10.261, 5.15.212, 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97, 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3e5fd9d14f2d228e7260251f2e4a1d41ba8f705a/eb1a9637f0bd84b5db8803af65dfb1f44785406f/7a5a1582710981ef6637de9f074a60a5b1d63222/86a61e46a1919e8abf4d227c204773dabb24068a/1b9cc255e8089606b92b2adf504e334573682821/5889064919a1e5c0a9469c54895000414fc46944/fffeb2ab5eeb823d4c2330571a098f63237c9049/54f6b0c843e228d499eb4b6bbb89df68cad9ad5d is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.10.260
• 5.15.211
• 6.1.177
• 6.6.144
• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
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• 6.12.85
• 6.12.86
• 6.12.87
• 6.12.88
• 6.12.89
• 6.12.90
• 6.12.91
• 6.12.92
• 6.12.93
• 6.12.94
• 6.12.95
• 6.12.96
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.18.4
• 6.18.5
• 6.18.6
• 6.18.7
• 6.18.8
• 6.18.9
• 6.18.10
• 6.18.11
• 6.18.12
• 6.18.13
• 6.18.14
• 6.18.15
• 6.18.16
• 6.18.17
• 6.18.18
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• 6.18.20
• 6.18.21
• 6.18.22
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• 6.18.25
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• 6.18.30
• 6.18.31
• 6.18.32
• 6.18.33
• 6.18.34
• 6.18.35
• 6.18.36
• 6.18.37
• 6.18.38
• 6.18.39
• 7.1.0
• 7.1.1
• 7.1.2
• 7.1.3
• 7.1.4
• 7.2-rc1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.261/5.15.212/6.1.178/6.6.145/6.12.97/6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc2
Patch: 3e5fd9d14f2d228e7260251f2e4a1d41ba8f705a/eb1a9637f0bd84b5db8803af65dfb1f44785406f/7a5a1582710981ef6637de9f074a60a5b1d63222/86a61e46a1919e8abf4d227c204773dabb24068a/1b9cc255e8089606b92b2adf504e334573682821/5889064919a1e5c0a9469c54895000414fc46944/fffeb2ab5eeb823d4c2330571a098f63237c9049/54f6b0c843e228d499eb4b6bbb89df68cad9ad5d

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-2026-72036 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72036
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390449

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 11:28
Changes: 08/15/2026 11:28 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion

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