# Linux kernel releases seven stable versions with critical CVE-2026-99999 fix

> **Key takeaway:** New stable Linux kernel releases address a critical vulnerability in skb_checksum_help() that allows network header corruption.

**Published:** 2026-10-15T13:01:31+00:00 
**Source:** Linux Weekly News (LWN.net) 
**Category:** kernel-os 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/linux-kernel-releases-seven-stable-versions-with-critical-cv.html 

## Summary
Greg Kroah-Hartman has released seven stable Linux kernel updates, including versions 7.2.11, 6.18.57, 6.12.113, 6.6.159, 6.1.190, 5.15.223, and 5.10.272. These updates contain a fix for CVE-2026-99999, a critical flaw in the skb_checksum_help() function. The vulnerability involves IPv4 packets with incorrect checksum metadata causing network header corruption.

## Details of CVE-2026-99999
- The vulnerability resides in the **skb_checksum_help()** function.
- It is triggered by **IPv4 packets** containing invalid checksum metadata.
- The flaw can lead to **network header corruption**.
- Discussion suggests the issue may involve metadata provided over connections like **virtio**, potentially affecting both transmit (TX) and receive (RX) paths.

## Why it matters
Users running any of the affected kernel series are advised to upgrade immediately to mitigate the risk of network header corruption and potential host-level exploitation.