CVE-2026-97440: Linux kernel · net: qrtr: fix node refcount leak on ctrl packet alloc failure
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 15:59 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 24 Sep 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
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 fix has been implemented to properly release the node reference on allocation failure. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix for the affected versions. Patch status is not explicitly stated in the input data; check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's QRTR networking component caused a node reference count leak when a control packet allocation failed. This issue occurs because the function qrtr_send_resume_tx() does not release a node reference if qrtr_alloc_ctrl_packet() fails due to memory allocation errors. The flaw has been fixed by ensuring the node reference is properly released on allocation failure.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-97440 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-97440 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/477353db343663d5502ca442c6de785d2f23f273 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b09ff54114566864eea59020f6b69c5bb325b9d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9d969c98732a4d42212ec580dd5bbad53f246103 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97440 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/78d066ecac9ce50441d4affae0df2093c4c3e62e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c3515740174b778d0ee44acc477b51a6478da6b8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f3e90fbcd2d5ec1632bc2e8cdd1218f56bcb5fcf (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f76a39c45182d9137e053081cee9f2c197404ce6 (opens in a new tab)