CVE-2026-23228: smb: server: fix leak of active_num_conn in ksmbd_tcp_new_connection()

Published Feb 18, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

smb: server: fix leak of activenumconn in ksmbdtcpnewconnection()

On kthreadrun() failure in ksmbdtcpnewconnection(), the transport is freed via freetransport(), which does not decrement activenumconn, leaking this counter.

Replace freetransport() with ksmbdtcpdisconnect().

Affected Software

14 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.121.1-1
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.200.1-1
Linux Linux kernel>=5.15.91<5.15.201
Linux Linux kernel>=6.1.9<6.1.164
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2.1<6.6.125
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.72
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.11
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<6.19.1
Linux Linux kernel=6.2
Linux Linux kernel=6.2-rc6
Linux Linux kernel=6.2-rc7
Linux Linux kernel=6.2-rc8
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.115-27.2.12-17.2.15-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.113-1Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.13-1
  2. Compensating control

    In ksmbd_tcp_new_connection(), replace free_transport() with ksmbd_tcp_disconnect() on kthread_run() failure so active_num_conn is decremented.

Event History

Feb 18, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:53 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:53 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:22 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Feb 21, 2026
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·12:28 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-23228?

CVE-2026-23228 has a moderate severity rating due to the potential for information leakage.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-23228?

To resolve CVE-2026-23228, update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version where this vulnerability has been patched.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-23228?

CVE-2026-23228 affects the Linux kernel implementations that utilize the ksmbd SMB server.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-23228?

CVE-2026-23228 is a resource leak vulnerability in the SMB server component of the Linux kernel.

5

When was CVE-2026-23228 reported?

CVE-2026-23228 was reported as part of ongoing security updates for the Linux kernel.

Contact

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