CVE-2026-72040: ipmi: fix refcount leak in i_ipmi_request()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ipmi: fix refcount leak in iipmirequest()
When a caller provides a suppliedrecv message to iipmirequest(), the function increments the user's nrmsgs reference count. If an error occurs later, the outerr cleanup path only frees the recvmsg if the function allocated it itself (i.e., !suppliedrecv). In the suppliedrecv case the cleanup is skipped, leaving the reference count elevated. The caller ipmirequestsupplymsgs() does not release the suppliedrecv on error, so the reference is permanently leaked.
Fix this by explicitly reverting the reference count operations when a supplied recvmsg with a valid user pointer is present in the error path: decrement nrmsgs and drop the user's kref.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-72040?
CVE-2026-72040 has a risk rating of 17.
What does CVE-2026-72040 affect?
CVE-2026-72040 affects the Linux kernel specifically related to IPMI request handling.
How do I fix CVE-2026-72040?
To fix CVE-2026-72040, update your Linux kernel to the latest version that includes the patch.
What is a refcount leak in the context of CVE-2026-72040?
In CVE-2026-72040, a refcount leak refers to the failure to decrement a reference count, which could lead to memory management issues.
When was CVE-2026-72040 published?
CVE-2026-72040 was published on August 15, 2026.