Linux Kernel up to 6.18.13/6.19.3 unix_stream_connect 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 marked as critical has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.13/6.19.3. This issue affects the function unix_stream_connect. This manipulation causes memory leak. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-45887. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.13/6.19.3. Affected by this vulnerability is the function unix_stream_connect. 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: af_unix: Fix memleak of newsk in unix_stream_connect(). When prepare_peercred() fails in unix_stream_connect(), unix_release_sock() is not called for newsk, and the memory is leaked. Let's move prepare_peercred() before unix_create1().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-45887 since 05/13/2026. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading to version 6.18.14 or 6.19.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 365996a2b14d07caa9e33d367b67ea26c09d89b4/a5d95d7caba0160fb7b2b8d2bd96d5a1be861d9f/6884028cd7f275f8bcb854a347265cb1fb0e4bea 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 vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-1700). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

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Name

Version

License

Website

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

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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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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.14/6.19.4
Patch: 365996a2b14d07caa9e33d367b67ea26c09d89b4/a5d95d7caba0160fb7b2b8d2bd96d5a1be861d9f/6884028cd7f275f8bcb854a347265cb1fb0e4bea

Timelineinfo

05/13/2026 CVE reserved
05/27/2026 +14 days Advisory disclosed
05/27/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/26/2026 +30 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-45887 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-45887
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-366139
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-1700 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 05/27/2026 16:56
Updated: 06/26/2026 07:09
Changes: 05/27/2026 16:56 (58), 06/15/2026 01:45 (7), 06/23/2026 00:21 (1), 06/26/2026 07:09 (10)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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