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 2026-08-17
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 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

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. 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. 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.