Kernel memory leak via unfreed KVM devices
Published Jan 31, 2026 · Updated Jan 31, 2026
Memory leak in LoongArch KVM in Linux Kernel 6.13 through 6.18.6 allows local users with KVM access to consume kernel memory. The kvm_eiointc_destroy() callback omits freeing the kvm_device structure allocated by kvm_ioctl_create_device(), so each EIOINTC device lifecycle leaves kernel memory allocated. Reachability requires a LoongArch host with KVM and permission to create EIOINTC devices; repeated lifecycles progressively deplete memory and eventually interrupt host workloads.
Summary
What happened
Memory leak in LoongArch KVM in Linux Kernel 6.13 through 6.18.6 allows local users with KVM access to consume kernel memory. The kvm_eiointc_destroy() callback omits freeing the kvm_device structure allocated by kvm_ioctl_create_device(), so each EIOINTC device lifecycle leaves kernel memory allocated. Reachability requires a LoongArch host with KVM and permission to create EIOINTC devices; repeated lifecycles progressively deplete memory and eventually interrupt host workloads.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-23029
- Published
- Jan 31, 2026
- Updated
- Jan 31, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 31, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 31, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <7d8553fc75aefa7ec936af0cf8443ff90b51732e
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <e94ec9661c5820d157d2cc4b6cf4a6ab656a7b4d
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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