Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc2 MACB driver macb_free_consistent tx_skb allocation of resources

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$0-$5k0.95

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.147/6.12.100/6.18.39/7.1.4/7.2-rc2. It has been rated as critical. Impacted is the function macb_free_consistent of the component MACB driver. This manipulation of the argument tx_skb causes allocation of resources. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-72017. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.147/6.12.100/6.18.39/7.1.4/7.2-rc2. Affected by this vulnerability is the function macb_free_consistent of the component MACB driver. The manipulation of the argument tx_skb with an unknown input leads to a allocation of resources vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-770. The product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated, in violation of the intended security policy for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: macb: drop in-flight Tx SKBs on close The MACB driver has since forever leaked the outgoing SKBs that have not yet been marked as completed. They live in queue->tx_skb which gets freed without remorse nor checking. macb_free_consistent() gets called in a few codepaths, but only close will trigger the added expressions. In macb_open() and macb_alloc_consistent() failure cases, queues' tx_skb just got allocated and are empty.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-72017 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 6.6.148, 6.12.101, 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 6124bd785073659c99385094657b77382ebce11b/2143fdc0ce27adbb1caaa1a97e0bfb9f3750aef4/26b131b2d5b55a81ef6182769d28105a870c0eb2/109241d9880488aafd8e104832b4d4859ad57244/27f575836cfebbf872dec020428742b10650a955 is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Allocation of resources
CWE: CWE-770 / CWE-400 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
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 6.6.148/6.12.101/6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc3
Patch: 6124bd785073659c99385094657b77382ebce11b/2143fdc0ce27adbb1caaa1a97e0bfb9f3750aef4/26b131b2d5b55a81ef6182769d28105a870c0eb2/109241d9880488aafd8e104832b4d4859ad57244/27f575836cfebbf872dec020428742b10650a955

Timelineinfo

08/09/2026 CVE reserved
08/15/2026 +6 days Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-72017 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72017
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390439

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 11:20
Changes: 08/15/2026 11:20 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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