CVE-2026-72461
Received Received - Intake

AppArmor sk_ctx Reference Leak Fix

Publication date: 2026-08-15

Last updated on: 2026-08-15

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: apparmor: fix refcount leak when updating the sk_ctx Currently update_sk_ctx() transfers the plabel reference, unfortunately it is also unconditionally put in the caller. Ideally we would make the caller conditionally put the reference based on whether it was transferred but for now just fix the bug by getting a reference.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-15
Last Modified
2026-08-15
Generated
2026-08-15
AI Q&A
2026-08-15
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-72461
EUVD
EUVD-2026-59360

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *

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Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves a reference count leak in the AppArmor security module. The function update_sk_ctx() transfers a plabel reference but also unconditionally releases it in the caller, leading to incorrect reference management.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's AppArmor module and involves a reference count leak in the sk_ctx update function. Detection requires checking kernel logs for AppArmor-related errors or kernel oops messages. Commands like dmesg | grep -i apparmor or journalctl -k | grep -i apparmor may help identify issues. Ensure your kernel is updated to a patched version.

Impact Analysis

The impact is primarily on system stability and security. A reference count leak could cause memory leaks or crashes in systems using AppArmor, potentially leading to denial-of-service conditions or reduced security enforcement.

Mitigation Strategies

Immediate mitigation involves updating the Linux kernel to a version that includes the fix for this vulnerability. Check your distribution's security advisories for the patched kernel version and apply it via your package manager. Reboot the system after updating to ensure the new kernel is active.

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