CVE-2026-72006: Linux kernel · net/mlx5: free mlx5_st_idx_data on final dealloc
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 10% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1 +11
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Aug 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 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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
A patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to resolve this memory leak. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions listed by their distribution or vendor. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5 network driver was resolved. The issue involved the improper freeing of mlx5_st_idx_data structures during deallocation, causing memory to leak when workloads repeatedly allocate and release mkeys with TPH steering-tag hints. This flaw could lead to increased memory usage over time. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been patched.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72006 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/262da8b6ea03d01ee7ed01ad309e4c89941f6b14 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6eb4cf2fa8997f62c11e0006dc010a1fd89c5a75 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/df6134b527a88b3e65ba6ae5073664af091d5fd2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72006 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72006 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/df6134b527a88b3e65ba6ae5073664af091d5fd2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8889-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-3 (opens in a new tab)