Ubuntu Updates the 22.04 LTS FIPS Kernel for Five Vulnerabilities
Tech GuruQuick Answer
Apply the Ubuntu 22.04 LTS FIPS Updates kernel packages, prepare third-party kernel modules for the ABI change, and reboot into the corrected kernel.
Confirm Scope And Apply The Supported Remediation
What to do now: Identify Ubuntu 22.04 LTS systems using linux-fips, their Ubuntu Pro/FIPS update channel, running kernel, external modules and service owners. Match the exact Ubuntu release, package origin and kernel flavor to the vendor matrix; do not extend this notice to other kernels or distributions. Install the listed security packages from the supported Ubuntu channel, rebuild and reinstall third-party kernel modules as required, and reboot. Confirm installed package versions and the running kernel after reboot. Validate module loading, networking, storage and required cryptographic services; retain package and boot evidence.
Last verified: 2026-11-13 UTC. Recheck the authoritative advisory and supported distribution channel before changing production.
Scope And Authority
| Product scope | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS FIPS Linux kernel |
|---|---|
| Advisory | USN-9027-2 |
| CVEs | CVE-2025-21656, CVE-2026-63940, CVE-2026-74350, CVE-2026-98432, CVE-2026-99999 |
| Authoritative release date | 2026-11-13T10:30:15Z — authoritative Ubuntu RSS publication timestamp; advisory date November 13, 2026. |
| Authority revision date | No separate material revision date is provided by the authority. |
| Affected versions | The Ubuntu 22.04 LTS FIPS Linux kernel packages before the security builds listed in USN-9027-2. Individual vulnerability applicability depends on the installed kernel flavor, architecture and enabled components. |
| Fixed version | linux-image-5.15.0-203-fips 5.15.0-203.213+fips1; linux-image-fips and linux-image-fips-5.15 5.15.0.203.117, through FIPS Updates for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. |
| CVSS base score | Not provided by the authority |
| CVSS severity | Not provided by the authority |
| Exploitation status | The Ubuntu advisory does not confirm exploitation in the wild.; no exploitation claim is inferred. |
What Changed
Ubuntu publishes a FIPS kernel update covering five CVEs across architecture, hardware-monitoring, filesystem and network components. The bulletin requires a reboot and identifies an ABI change.
What To Validate Now
- Inventory. Identify Ubuntu 22.04 LTS systems using linux-fips, their Ubuntu Pro/FIPS update channel, running kernel, external modules and service owners.
- Establish applicability. Match the exact Ubuntu release, package origin and kernel flavor to the vendor matrix; do not extend this notice to other kernels or distributions.
- Remediate. Install the listed security packages from the supported Ubuntu channel, rebuild and reinstall third-party kernel modules as required, and reboot.
- Validate. Confirm installed package versions and the running kernel after reboot. Validate module loading, networking, storage and required cryptographic services; retain package and boot evidence.
- Retain evidence. Preserve asset and owner identifiers, the applicability decision, before-and-after versions, change approval, installation output, validation results, and any exception or rollback record.
Operational Cautions
Use the authorized FIPS Updates channel and review organizational certification requirements. Updating packages alone leaves the old kernel running; plan a reboot, module rebuilds and a tested recovery kernel.
Evidence To Retain
- Exact product, release stream, package or application version, enabled feature, environment, and accountable owner.
- UTC timestamps, authority revision, approved change record, installer or package-manager output, and resulting version.
- Relevant logs and monitoring evidence, test results, exceptions, compensating controls, and rollback decisions.
Related TechGeeks Resources
Authoritative References
Correction policy: If the authority changes affected versions, fixed versions, severity, exploitation information, mitigations, or required action, TechGeeks will update this notice and its verification date.
