CVE-2026-72401: bpf: Fix insn_aux_data leak on verifier err_free_env path

Severity: unknown
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.2% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-08-15 · updated 2026-08-17

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix insn_aux_data leak on verifier err_free_env path When bpf_check() allocates env->insn_aux_data successfully but later fails to allocate env->succ, it jumps directly to err_free_env. The existing vfree(env->insn_aux_data) sits before the err_free_env label, so that direct jump bypasses it and leaks insn_aux_data. Move vfree(env->insn_aux_data) into err_free_env so all early and late exit paths release it consistently.

Affected products

Linux kernel: 6.19 — fixed in 7.2

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Linux kernel 7.2. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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