CVE-2026-72020: ipvs: reset full ip_vs_seq structs in ip_vs_conn_new

Published Aug 15, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ipvs: reset full ipvsseq structs in ipvsconnnew

Commit 9a05475cebdd ("ipvs: avoid kmemcachezalloc in ipvsconnnew") changed ipvsconnnew() to allocate an ipvsconn object with kmemcachealloc(). The function then initializes many fields explicitly, but only resets inseq.delta and outseq.delta in the two struct ipvsseq members.

That leaves initseq and previousdelta uninitialized. This is normally harmless while the corresponding IPVSCONNFINSEQ or IPVSCONNFOUTSEQ flag is clear. For connections learned from a sync message, however, ipvsprocconn() preserves those flags from IPVSCONNFBACKUPMASK and passes opt=NULL when the message omits IPVSOPTSEQDATA. In that case the new connection can be hashed with SEQ flags set but with the rest of inseq/outseq still containing stale slab data.

When a packet for such a connection is later handled by an IPVS application helper, vsfixseq() and vsfixackseq() use previousdelta and initseq to rewrite TCP sequence numbers. A malformed sync message can therefore make forwarded packets carry stale slab bytes in their TCP seq/ack numbers, and can also corrupt the forwarded TCP flow.

Reset both struct ipvsseq members completely before publishing the connection. This matches the existing "reset struct ipvsseq" comment and keeps the sequence-adjustment gates inactive unless valid sequence data is installed later.

Event History

Aug 15, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:51 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:51 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:21 AM
Description
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-72020?

The severity of CVE-2026-72020 is rated as risk 42.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-72020?

To fix CVE-2026-72020, ensure that your Linux kernel is updated to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72020?

CVE-2026-72020 affects systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel using IP Virtual Server (ipvs).

4

Is there a workaround for CVE-2026-72020?

There are no known workarounds for CVE-2026-72020; updating the kernel is recommended.

5

When was CVE-2026-72020 published?

CVE-2026-72020 was published on August 15, 2026.

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