CVE-2026-72391: Linux kernel · net: phy: sfp: free mii_bus in sfp_i2c_mdiobus_destroy
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, 14:05 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 and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to fix the memory leak. The vendor advisory confirms that this issue has been resolved. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions listed in the advisory.
Description
A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SFP PHY driver was resolved. The issue occurs because the sfp_i2c_mdiobus_destroy() function fails to free the allocated mii_bus structure, causing a resource leak when certain SFP modules are removed. This leak happens during module hot-removal but not on driver unbind. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been patched.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72391 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2381bf3f484e8e4fd89a225445872ec14e036ab5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3183b6f5510c876a1c4b4a6bdc3d0ad8940fe742 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/86d379fcf1b79bdf4bc2ac891297f30f63d041d8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8f31efff9206f9f0adb853cad6916086aac4d5ef (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/92dd9a522f01ef57f633a8c1953cf6d48ef2bcd5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2c37f26d1a37f8177be5f354537f8ee3ec31cc2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72391 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72391 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/8f31efff9206f9f0adb853cad6916086aac4d5ef (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)