Linux Kernel up to 7.2.4 i2c mux i2c_mux_add_adapter memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.0$0-$5k0.45

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.4. Impacted is the function i2c_mux_add_adapter of the component i2c mux. This manipulation causes memory leak. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-89982. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.4. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function i2c_mux_add_adapter of the component i2c mux. 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 confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i2c: mux: Fix channel node leak on adapter add failure i2c_mux_add_adapter() takes a reference to the Device Tree channel node before registering the new adapter. If adapter registration fails, the error path frees the private data without dropping that reference. Release the channel node before freeing the private data.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-89982 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/16/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1499 for this issue.

Upgrading to version 5.10.270, 5.15.221, 6.1.188, 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.51, 7.2.5 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 4f42f70afd2447f3c82ca69d1e03466a75348ba9/4c9bc46a2a4afb7a11c48d33bdf19febab431015/dd2c1e6747b17b24ecddd48a7bb6bb964c2793d1/0927153f2abf48b6cc3e5f27063a17f7a8d47f38/b580f062b24c4eef562f08f210c028adb34ef14e/2b3b06cb709c4bf75a3fe3da3a0ca368ee3b40e5/694e7e6edf249723ca7d3ef77c2ca1badfc78dc4/385c7af4e3b95d0769fd211831674e83b16a2ebf is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.0

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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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
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 5.10.270/5.15.221/6.1.188/6.6.157/6.12.110/6.18.51/7.2.5/7.3-rc1
Patch: 4f42f70afd2447f3c82ca69d1e03466a75348ba9/4c9bc46a2a4afb7a11c48d33bdf19febab431015/dd2c1e6747b17b24ecddd48a7bb6bb964c2793d1/0927153f2abf48b6cc3e5f27063a17f7a8d47f38/b580f062b24c4eef562f08f210c028adb34ef14e/2b3b06cb709c4bf75a3fe3da3a0ca368ee3b40e5/694e7e6edf249723ca7d3ef77c2ca1badfc78dc4/385c7af4e3b95d0769fd211831674e83b16a2ebf

Timelineinfo

09/11/2026 CVE reserved
09/16/2026 +5 days Advisory disclosed
09/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-89982 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-89982
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-405817

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2026 15:09
Changes: 09/16/2026 15:09 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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