Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4 ipmi handle_read_event_rsp use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k1.40+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4. It has been declared as very critical. The impacted element is the function handle_read_event_rsp of the component ipmi. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-72042. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4 and classified as very critical. Affected by this issue is the function handle_read_event_rsp of the component ipmi. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipmi: Fix user refcount underflow in event delivery ipmi_alloc_recv_msg(user) takes the temporary user reference owned by the receive message, and ipmi_free_recv_msg() drops it again. If event delivery fails after allocating receive messages for earlier users, handle_read_event_rsp() rolls those messages back with ipmi_free_recv_msg(). That rollback path still drops user->refcount explicitly after freeing each message. The extra put can free a user that remains linked on intf->users, so later event delivery may dereference a freed user or trip refcount_t's addition-on-zero warning when ipmi_alloc_recv_msg() tries to acquire another reference. Remove the stale explicit put and the now-dead user assignment. Keep the list_del() and ipmi_free_recv_msg() calls; they are the required rollback operations.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-72042 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ddbb6e3dc9bb4743de686aa1598c31e745cee76b/7be349d4fcc5e065295b83418a22d27a68afbdb6/6aa9e61c46465d231e9beddf56af7effd71be682 is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
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: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / 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 6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc1
Patch: ddbb6e3dc9bb4743de686aa1598c31e745cee76b/7be349d4fcc5e065295b83418a22d27a68afbdb6/6aa9e61c46465d231e9beddf56af7effd71be682

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-2026-72042 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72042
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390452

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 11:30
Changes: 08/15/2026 11:30 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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