Linux Kernel up to 7.1.7 VXLAN vxlan_xmit use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k1.17-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.7. This vulnerability affects the function vxlan_xmit of the component VXLAN. This manipulation causes use after free. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-80681. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.7. It has been declared as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function vxlan_xmit of the component VXLAN. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vxlan: re-fetch eth header after route_shortcircuit() Before route_shortcircuit(), the eth header pointer is cached from eth_hdr(skb). Inside route_shortcircuit(), pskb_may_pull() can be called, which may reallocate skb->head. In this case, returning to vxlan_xmit() leaves the cached eth pointer pointing to freed memory, leading to a use-after-free when dereferencing eth->h_dest. Fix this by updating eth = eth_hdr(skb) after calling route_shortcircuit().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-80681 since 08/26/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/28/2026).

Upgrading to version 5.10.265, 5.15.216, 6.1.183, 6.6.151, 6.12.103, 6.18.44 or 7.1.8 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 6375093eb45cd7d89f1945f939eeae3b29d79f56/1b7f7b653e3557690047c62f03b80a24ea5a58a5/bf045341dfb3e767f0ff94cf240ce3c371973bd4/2355c8c26d2aa1b4385b369e67202e47d460d555/1511631b7cfc4152b10a0a9d04c7a0bf2ddf4585/1235e017aa11cf01e91b613c4c5ed6aa28934fff/c9dceac9e1c7c772c43c732fc0d325e72835801a/1395a676ec15a0a02a2a6d86602324f2d5fd41d5 is able to eliminate this problem.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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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

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

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 5.10.265/5.15.216/6.1.183/6.6.151/6.12.103/6.18.44/7.1.8
Patch: 6375093eb45cd7d89f1945f939eeae3b29d79f56/1b7f7b653e3557690047c62f03b80a24ea5a58a5/bf045341dfb3e767f0ff94cf240ce3c371973bd4/2355c8c26d2aa1b4385b369e67202e47d460d555/1511631b7cfc4152b10a0a9d04c7a0bf2ddf4585/1235e017aa11cf01e91b613c4c5ed6aa28934fff/c9dceac9e1c7c772c43c732fc0d325e72835801a/1395a676ec15a0a02a2a6d86602324f2d5fd41d5

Timelineinfo

08/26/2026 CVE reserved
08/28/2026 +2 days Advisory disclosed
08/28/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/28/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-80681 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-80681
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-396619

Entryinfo

Created: 08/28/2026 10:52
Changes: 08/28/2026 10:52 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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