CVE-2026-72126 can: isotp: use unconditional synchronize_rcu() in isotp_release()
A race condition in the Linux kernel CAN ISO-TP module allows a use-after-free of a timer callback, potentially leading to code execution or system crash.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72126?
CVE-2026-72126 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 15 Aug 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
can: isotp: use unconditional synchronize_rcu() in isotp_release()
isotp_notify() unregisters the (RCU) CAN filters via can_rx_unregister() and clears so->bound without waiting for a grace period. isotp_release() uses so->bound to decide whether it needs to call synchronize_rcu() before cancelling so->rxtimer, so when NETDEV_UNREGISTER runs first it skips that synchronize_rcu() and can cancel the timer while an in-flight isotp_rcv() is still executing and about to re-arm it via isotp_send_fc(), leading to a use-after-free timer callback on the freed socket.
sakisho-bot remarked a problem with rtnl_lock held in isotp_notify(), therefore make isotp_release() always call synchronize_rcu() before cancelling the timers, regardless of so->bound. This still closes the original race (isotp_notify() clearing so->bound without waiting for in-flight isotp_rcv() callers before isotp_release() cancels the RX timer) without adding any RCU wait to the netdevice notifier path.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72126?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72126?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-72126 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72126 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-72126, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72126, GHSA-5j9g-r9x8-9248, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72126.