CVE-2026-72321

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: igmp: Fix potential memory leaks in igmp_mod_timer() and igmp_stop_timer() When a timer is deleted and not re-armed in igmp_mod_timer(), or stopped in igmp_stop_timer(), the code currently decrements the reference counter of the multicast list entry @im using refcount_dec(&im->refcnt). However, both functions can be called from the RCU reader path: - igmp_mod_timer() via igmp_heard_query() -> for_each_pmc_rcu() - igmp_stop_timer() via igmp_rcv() -> igmp_heard_report() If the group im was concurrently removed from the list by ip_mc_dec_group(), its reference count might have already been decremented to 1. In this case, timer_delete() succeeds, and refcount_dec() decrements the refcount from 1 to 0. Since refcount_dec() does not free the object when it hits 0 (unlike ip_ma_put()), the im structure is leaked. Fix this by using ip_ma_put(im) instead of refcount_dec(&im->refcnt), and deferring the put until after the spinlock is released.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-08-15
Last modified 2026-08-15
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 2.6.12 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.40, 7.1.5, 7.2-rc3 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.12
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.40 6.18.x ✓ 7.1.5 7.1.x ✓ 7.2-rc3

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-72321?

    CVE-2026-72321 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.12 onward and has been patched in 6.18.40, 7.1.5 and 7.2-rc3. CVE-2026-72321 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-72321?

    Yes. CVE-2026-72321 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.40, 7.1.5 and 7.2-rc3. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.12 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-72321 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-72321 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.