Linux Kernel up to 6.12.96/6.18.39/7.1.4 udp_tunnel udp_tunnel_nic_device_sync_work 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-$25k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.96/6.18.39/7.1.4. Affected is the function udp_tunnel_nic_device_sync_work of the component udp_tunnel. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2026-72405. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.96/6.18.39/7.1.4. It has been rated as very critical. Affected by this issue is the function udp_tunnel_nic_device_sync_work of the component udp_tunnel. 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: net: udp_tunnel: prevent double queueing in udp_tunnel_nic_device_sync Yue Sun reported a use-after-free and debugobjects warning in udp_tunnel_nic_device_sync_work() during concurrent device operations. The workqueue core clears the internal pending bit before invoking the worker. At that point, a concurrent thread can queue the work again. When the already running worker eventually clears the work_pending flag to 0, it mistakenly clears the flag for the newly queued instance. udp_tunnel_nic_unregister() then observes work_pending as 0 and frees the structure while the second work item is still active in the queue, leading to UAF. Fix this by returning early in udp_tunnel_nic_device_sync() if work_pending is already set, preventing redundant work queueing.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-72405 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.97, 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch cee6688e5731c0591643521716d1a1a5c1a98bf8/9075efb9b2c1d9d7a8285c937b64aa93ca0c41b7/54292b167466cdf42176b7b6f01da66c184deb12/ecf69d4b43370c587e48d4d70289dbdb7e039d4d is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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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 6.12.97/6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc1
Patch: cee6688e5731c0591643521716d1a1a5c1a98bf8/9075efb9b2c1d9d7a8285c937b64aa93ca0c41b7/54292b167466cdf42176b7b6f01da66c184deb12/ecf69d4b43370c587e48d4d70289dbdb7e039d4d

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-2026-72405 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72405
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390950

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 16:34
Changes: 08/15/2026 16:34 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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