CVE-2026-23038: Linux kernel · pnfs/flexfiles: Fix memory leak in nfs4_ff_alloc_deviceid_node()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · No CVSS score from NVD or the CNA
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 20% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1106.115~20.04.1 +59
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 31 Jan 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1018.18?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
An official fix is available from Ubuntu through security updates. Users should update their linux-aws kernel packages to the patched versions listed in the Ubuntu advisories (e.g., versions >=5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1 and similar for other releases) and reboot their systems to apply the changes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be required. No additional mitigation is necessary beyond applying the official patches.
Description
A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pnfs/flexfiles subsystem was fixed. The issue occurs in the nfs4_ff_alloc_deviceid_node() function, where failure to allocate ds_versions causes a jump to a cleanup label that does not free previously allocated memory, leading to a memory leak. This flaw has been addressed by correcting the cleanup path to properly free allocated resources. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the linux-aws kernel prior to specific patched versions. The fix is available through official Ubuntu security updates, and users are advised to update and reboot their systems to apply the patches.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23038 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23038 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/0c728083654f0066f5e10a1d2b0bd0907af19a58 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c728083654f0066f5e10a1d2b0bd0907af19a58 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/869862056e100973e76ce9f5f1b01837771b7722 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/86da7efd12295a7e2b4abde5e5984c821edd938f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed5d3f2f6885eb99f729e6ffd946e3aa058bd3eb (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8162-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8186-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8187-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8188-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8243-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8275-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8278-1 (opens in a new tab)