CVE-2026-23091: Linux kernel · intel_th: fix device leak on output open()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 3% 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 +73
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 4 Feb 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@6.17.0-22.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1012.12?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1013.13?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@6.17.0-1012.12?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1011.11?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
A fix is available and included in updated Linux kernel packages for linux-aws. Users should apply the official kernel updates and reboot their systems to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be required. Follow vendor instructions for updating to the fixed kernel versions. Patch status is confirmed by the Ubuntu security advisory USN-8162-1.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's intel_th driver caused a device reference leak during output device open() operations. The issue involved failure to drop references properly on both error and successful open() calls, potentially leading to resource exhaustion and denial of service. This flaw has been fixed in updated kernel versions. The vulnerability has a medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.5 and does not impact confidentiality or integrity but affects availability. No known exploits are reported in the wild. Users should update to the patched Linux kernel versions to remediate the issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23091 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23091 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/95fc36a234da24bbc5f476f8104a5a15f99ed3e3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0fca16c5591534cc1fec8b6181277ee3a3d0f26c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/95fc36a234da24bbc5f476f8104a5a15f99ed3e3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bf7785434b5d05d940d936b78925080950bd54dd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f9b059bda4276f2bb72cb98ec7875a747f042ea2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8162-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8177-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8177-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8183-1 (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-8183-2 (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)