CVE-2026-80519: ovpn: finish crypto callback cleanup before peer release

Severity: critical (CVSS 9.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.6% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-08-26 · updated 2026-08-27

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ovpn: finish crypto callback cleanup before peer release Crypto completion callbacks hold both key-slot and peer references. The peer reference pins the netdev, and dropping the last peer reference can let netdev unregistration and module removal make progress. Do not release that peer reference before the callback has finished its own cleanup. If ovpn_crypto_key_slot_put runs after ovpn_peer_put, it can schedule an RCU callback backed by module text after ovpn_cleanup rcu_barrier has already run. The TX error path also freed the remaining skb after ovpn_peer_put, leaving callback cleanup outside the peer/netdev lifetime window. Release the key slot and free any remaining skb first, then drop the peer reference as the last callback action.

Affected products

Linux kernel: 6.16 — fixed in 7.2

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Linux kernel 7.2. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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