Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.66/6.18.6/6.19-rc5 flexfiles nfs4_ff_alloc_deviceid_node memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.66/6.18.6/6.19-rc5. It has been rated as critical. This affects the function nfs4_ff_alloc_deviceid_node of the component flexfiles. This manipulation causes memory leak. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-23038. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.66/6.18.6/6.19-rc5. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function nfs4_ff_alloc_deviceid_node of the component flexfiles. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pnfs/flexfiles: Fix memory leak in nfs4_ff_alloc_deviceid_node() In nfs4_ff_alloc_deviceid_node(), if the allocation for ds_versions fails, the function jumps to the out_scratch label without freeing the already allocated dsaddrs list, leading to a memory leak. Fix this by jumping to the out_err_drain_dsaddrs label, which properly frees the dsaddrs list before cleaning up other resources.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-23038 since 01/13/2026. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 297467 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23038), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.122, 6.12.67, 6.18.7 or 6.19-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 869862056e100973e76ce9f5f1b01837771b7722/86da7efd12295a7e2b4abde5e5984c821edd938f/ed5d3f2f6885eb99f729e6ffd946e3aa058bd3eb/0c728083654f0066f5e10a1d2b0bd0907af19a58 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (297467), EUVD (EUVD-2026-5056) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0280). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.6.121
• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
• 6.12.7
• 6.12.8
• 6.12.9
• 6.12.10
• 6.12.11
• 6.12.12
• 6.12.13
• 6.12.14
• 6.12.15
• 6.12.16
• 6.12.17
• 6.12.18
• 6.12.19
• 6.12.20
• 6.12.21
• 6.12.22
• 6.12.23
• 6.12.24
• 6.12.25
• 6.12.26
• 6.12.27
• 6.12.28
• 6.12.29
• 6.12.30
• 6.12.31
• 6.12.32
• 6.12.33
• 6.12.34
• 6.12.35
• 6.12.36
• 6.12.37
• 6.12.38
• 6.12.39
• 6.12.40
• 6.12.41
• 6.12.42
• 6.12.43
• 6.12.44
• 6.12.45
• 6.12.46
• 6.12.47
• 6.12.48
• 6.12.49
• 6.12.50
• 6.12.51
• 6.12.52
• 6.12.53
• 6.12.54
• 6.12.55
• 6.12.56
• 6.12.57
• 6.12.58
• 6.12.59
• 6.12.60
• 6.12.61
• 6.12.62
• 6.12.63
• 6.12.64
• 6.12.65
• 6.12.66
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.18.4
• 6.18.5
• 6.18.6
• 6.19-rc1
• 6.19-rc2
• 6.19-rc3
• 6.19-rc4
• 6.19-rc5

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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