CVE-2026-72448

Kernel memory exhaustion via timestamp ring leak

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Memory leak in the Linux kernel's octeontx2-pf driver allows local users with administrative access to exhaust kernel memory. When timestamping is enabled, otx2_free_sq_res() tears down a send queue without passing sq->timestamps to qmem_free(), so each teardown retains its timestamp ring. Exploitation requires compatible Marvell OcteonTX2 hardware and repeated interface shutdown or device removal, and the bounded consequence is gradual memory exhaustion rather than data access or code execution.

CVSS severity2.3
Low
EPSS probability0.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory leak in the Linux kernel's octeontx2-pf driver allows local users with administrative access to exhaust kernel memory. When timestamping is enabled, otx2_free_sq_res() tears down a send queue without passing sq->timestamps to qmem_free(), so each teardown retains its timestamp ring. Exploitation requires compatible Marvell OcteonTX2 hardware and repeated interface shutdown or device removal, and the bounded consequence is gradual memory exhaustion rather than data access or code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72448
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-401, T1499.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 15, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.10
  2. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <19d2d36e193c3fb515c052a56bfc83d8ac7b6764
  3. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <3d45d40b872aec0073d4cf08956a6c9b87c5e396
  4. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <452ec5058ea4ed63adae8d6beeac9ee687fe8061
  5. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <a056db30de92945ff8ee6033096678bfbae878e3
  6. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <c642a530aaaeb9a3e356cedfe77955e7f983380e
  7. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <d6c0b0c802d3c49b86cad665a7f3790dc55a0394
  8. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <e68ada66afcae0bc2a7c06b43c5a9a081d29e7b4
  9. Affected versionversion=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <e8e9dff204e8d8553495893e1a44d2b5021648de

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.10; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <19d2d36e193c3fb515c052a56bfc83d8ac7b6764; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <3d45d40b872aec0073d4cf08956a6c9b87c5e396; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <452ec5058ea4ed63adae8d6beeac9ee687fe8061; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <a056db30de92945ff8ee6033096678bfbae878e3; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <c642a530aaaeb9a3e356cedfe77955e7f983380e; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <d6c0b0c802d3c49b86cad665a7f3790dc55a0394; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <e68ada66afcae0bc2a7c06b43c5a9a081d29e7b4; version=c9c12d339d93366732112d7ff472958834bfc3c5 <e8e9dff204e8d8553495893e1a44d2b5021648de

Published CVSS scores

2.3Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-401Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime
T1499.001Endpoint Denial of Service: OS Exhaustion Flood

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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