CVE-2026-23261

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-fc: release admin tagset if init fails nvme_fabrics creates an NVMe/FC controller in following path: nvmf_dev_write() -> nvmf_create_ctrl() -> nvme_fc_create_ctrl() -> nvme_fc_init_ctrl() nvme_fc_init_ctrl() allocates the admin blk-mq resources right after nvme_add_ctrl() succeeds. If any of the subsequent steps fail (changing the controller state, scheduling connect work, etc.), we jump to the fail_ctrl path, which tears down the controller references but never frees the admin queue/tag set. The leaked blk-mq allocations match the kmemleak report seen during blktests nvme/fc. Check ctrl->ctrl.admin_tagset in the fail_ctrl path and call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set() when it is set so that all admin queue allocations are reclaimed whenever controller setup aborts.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-03-18
Last modified 2026-05-22
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-401

CVE-2026-23261 is a Memory Leak vulnerability

What is Memory Leak?

The product does not release memory after use, causing gradual resource exhaustion. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.6.118, 6.12.60, 6.17.10, 6.18 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.6.124, 6.12.70, 6.18.10, 6.19 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.6.118 ≥ 6.12.60 ≥ 6.17.10 ≥ 6.18
Fixed in
✓ 6.6.124 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.70 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.10 6.18.x ✓ 6.19

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-23261 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

4 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-23261?

    CVE-2026-23261 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a Memory Leak flaw (CWE-401) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.6.118 onward and has been patched in 6.6.124, 6.12.70, 6.18.10 and others. CVE-2026-23261 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-23261?

    CVE-2026-23261 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-23261?

    Yes — CVE-2026-23261 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.124, 6.12.70, 6.18.10 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.6.118 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-23261 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-23261 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Memory Leak (CWE-401)?

    The product does not release memory after use, causing gradual resource exhaustion. View CWE-401 on MITRE CWE →

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