CVE-2026-72023: Linux kernel · octeontx2-pf: fix SQB pointer leak on init failure
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, 13:47 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 11% 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 that fixes the pointer leak by using the appropriate cleanup function otx2_free_sq_res() during initialization failure. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's octeontx2-pf driver caused a pointer leak during initialization failure in the otx2_init_hw_resources() function. Specifically, the SQB pointer arrays were not properly freed on error, potentially leading to resource leaks. This issue was identified through experimental analysis and confirmed to persist in kernel version 7.1.1. A patch is available to correct the resource cleanup process.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72023 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/148d7ec0a3a98839c320e6cdd112e2e88bfb091b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/23d917acd9c9a9fd999688ec3fdde7aa58ab8a14 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5df30f05db96552903680a17f858d250dfd9e86e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e023fe2569e630ba23b5558ebe4bf4837af4d16 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/62e7df6d042aeebd5efb581074e28865c04477be (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72023 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72023 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/62e7df6d042aeebd5efb581074e28865c04477be (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)