Linux Kernel Tracing trace_remote_alloc_buffer memory leak

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4.7 | $0-$5k | 0.00- |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel. It has been rated as problematic. Affected is the function trace_remote_alloc_buffer of the component Tracing. The manipulation leads to memory leak.
This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-72309. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel (version unknown). This issue affects the function trace_remote_alloc_buffer of the component Tracing. 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: tracing/remotes: Fix leak in trace_remote_alloc_buffer() error path If page allocation fails in trace_remote_alloc_buffer(), desc->nr_cpus is not yet incremented for the current CPU. As a consequence, on error, half-allocated rb_desc will not be freed in trace_remote_free_buffer(). Increment desc->nr_cpus as soon as the first allocation for the current CPU has succeeded.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-72309 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are needed for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.
Applying the patch 81a7b7ddb07efdd8cf30eac6def18b9289b8de1e is able to eliminate this problem.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.9VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.7
VulDB Base Score: 4.9
VulDB Temp Score: 4.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Memory leakCWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: PatchStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Patch: 81a7b7ddb07efdd8cf30eac6def18b9289b8de1e
Timeline
08/09/2026 CVE reserved08/15/2026 Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-72309 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72309
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390719
Entry
Created: 08/15/2026 14:23Changes: 08/15/2026 14:23 (57)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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