Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 posix-cpu-timers update_rlimit_cpu integer overflow

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5.3	$0-$5k	0.47

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function update_rlimit_cpu of the component posix-cpu-timers. Executing a manipulation can lead to integer overflow. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-72068. The attack requires local access. There is no available exploit.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function update_rlimit_cpu of the component posix-cpu-timers. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a integer overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-190. The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound, when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This can introduce other weaknesses when the calculation is used for resource management or execution control. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-cpu-timers: Use u64 multiplication in update_rlimit_cpu() update_rlimit_cpu() converts the RLIMIT_CPU value to nanoseconds with u64 nsecs = rlim_new * NSEC_PER_SEC; On 32-bit kernels both rlim_new (unsigned long) and NSEC_PER_SEC (1000000000L) are 32-bit, so the multiplication is performed in unsigned long and truncated for rlim_new > 4 seconds before being widened to u64. The same file already casts to u64 for the matching computation in check_process_timers(): u64 softns = (u64)soft * NSEC_PER_SEC; As a result, the truncated value is installed into the CPUCLOCK_PROF expiry cache (nextevt), causing the process CPU timer to be programmed to fire prematurely for any RLIMIT_CPU soft limit >= 5 seconds. The actual SIGXCPU/SIGKILL decision in check_process_timers() already casts to u64 and is therefore correct, so limit enforcement is not broken; only the expiry-cache programming is wrong. Apply the same cast here so both paths convert rlim_cur identically. 64-bit kernels are unaffected.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-72068 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of 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-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch feb5c87c8514444ba891b75a5a3eae57c64edaf8/384628d6cdde0fcd76868606fad3ad8293100afb/1fafc4d9b411645eb34de43362b966dc8fb3e263/cff8281bacd2866767e6194c3079d33b6c5a74f4/edf6babb9edd2d3e19229ade339081f439d4f478/ea6a188ee805e841a0e242f14d15953e0dfa74bb/571e1f10b5996ba3e4dc63ea77de4aa309c384ce/26aff38fefb1d6cd87e22525f41cc8f1aa61b24f is able to eliminate this problem.

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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
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• 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
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• 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

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: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Integer overflow
CWE: CWE-190 / CWE-189
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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

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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-rc1
Patch: feb5c87c8514444ba891b75a5a3eae57c64edaf8/384628d6cdde0fcd76868606fad3ad8293100afb/1fafc4d9b411645eb34de43362b966dc8fb3e263/cff8281bacd2866767e6194c3079d33b6c5a74f4/edf6babb9edd2d3e19229ade339081f439d4f478/ea6a188ee805e841a0e242f14d15953e0dfa74bb/571e1f10b5996ba3e4dc63ea77de4aa309c384ce/26aff38fefb1d6cd87e22525f41cc8f1aa61b24f

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-2026-72068 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72068
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390478

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 11:46
Changes: 08/15/2026 11:46 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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