Linux Kernel up to 6.6.124/6.12.71/6.18.10/6.19.0 smb ksmbd_tcp_new_connection memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.124/6.12.71/6.18.10/6.19.0. Affected by this issue is the function ksmbd_tcp_new_connection of the component smb. The manipulation leads to memory leak. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-23228. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.124/6.12.71/6.18.10/6.19.0 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function ksmbd_tcp_new_connection of the component smb. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: server: fix leak of active_num_conn in ksmbd_tcp_new_connection() On kthread_run() failure in ksmbd_tcp_new_connection(), the transport is freed via free_transport(), which does not decrement active_num_conn, leaking this counter. Replace free_transport() with ksmbd_tcp_disconnect().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-23228 since 01/13/2026. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 299427 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23228), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.125, 6.12.72, 6.18.11 or 6.19.1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 787769c8cc50416af7b8b1a36e6bcd6aaa7680aa/baf664fc90a6139a39a58333e4aaa390c10d45dc/cd25e0d809531a67e9dd53b19012d27d2b13425f/599271110c35f6b16e2e4e45b9fbd47ed378c982 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 (299427), EUVD (EUVD-2026-7673) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0462). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 299427
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23228

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.125/6.12.72/6.18.11/6.19.1
Patch: 787769c8cc50416af7b8b1a36e6bcd6aaa7680aa/baf664fc90a6139a39a58333e4aaa390c10d45dc/cd25e0d809531a67e9dd53b19012d27d2b13425f/599271110c35f6b16e2e4e45b9fbd47ed378c982

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
02/18/2026 +36 days Advisory disclosed
02/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/24/2026 +95 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23228 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23228
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-346523
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0462 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/18/2026 16:53
Updated: 05/24/2026 22:12
Changes: 02/18/2026 16:53 (59), 02/20/2026 02:22 (2), 02/20/2026 04:49 (7), 02/23/2026 06:53 (1), 03/19/2026 09:01 (10), 05/24/2026 22:12 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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