Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 SCTP sctp_sf_do_5_1B_init memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4. This affects the function sctp_sf_do_5_1B_init of the component SCTP. The manipulation leads to memory leak. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-72413. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function sctp_sf_do_5_1B_init of the component SCTP. 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: sctp: fix err_chunk memory leaks in INIT handling When sctp_verify_init() encounters unrecognized parameters, it allocates an err_chunk to report them. However, this chunk is leaked in several code paths: 1. In sctp_sf_do_5_1B_init(), if security_sctp_assoc_request() fails after sctp_verify_init() has populated err_chunk, the function returns immediately without freeing it. 2. In sctp_sf_do_unexpected_init(), the same leak occurs on the security_sctp_assoc_request() failure path. 3. In sctp_sf_do_unexpected_init(), on the success path after copying unrecognized parameters to the INIT-ACK, the function returns without freeing err_chunk, unlike sctp_sf_do_5_1B_init() which properly frees it. Fix all three leaks by adding sctp_chunk_free(err_chunk) calls before returning in the error paths and on the success path in sctp_sf_do_unexpected_init().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-72413 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. 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.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 335742 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-72413), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 94f55994e19e8f0676990b9d5015b58ab6a97e00/9f58a0a4d6c2ed5d341bba64f058f15d1b0c36f2 is able to eliminate this problem.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (335742). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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: Memory leak
CWE: 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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Nessus ID: 335742
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-72413

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 7.1.5/7.2-rc1
Patch: 94f55994e19e8f0676990b9d5015b58ab6a97e00/9f58a0a4d6c2ed5d341bba64f058f15d1b0c36f2

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-2026-72413 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72413
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-391019

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 17:03
Updated: 08/15/2026 21:27
Changes: 08/15/2026 17:03 (59), 08/15/2026 21:27 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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