CVE-2026-23260 regmap: maple: free entry on mas_store_gfp() failure
A memory leak in the Linux kernel regmap maple cache allows attackers to cause denial of service by exhausting system memory.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-23260?
CVE-2026-23260 is a medium-severity denial of service vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 18 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
regmap: maple: free entry on mas_store_gfp() failure
regcache_maple_write() allocates a new block ('entry') to merge adjacent ranges and then stores it with mas_store_gfp(). When mas_store_gfp() fails, the new 'entry' remains allocated and is never freed, leaking memory.
Free 'entry' on the failure path; on success continue freeing the replaced neighbor blocks ('lower', 'upper').
Weakness: CWE-401
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-23260?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-23260?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.
Is CVE-2026-23260 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-23260 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-23260, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-23260, GHSA-5crp-hwj6-6www, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2026-23260, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-23260, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2026-23260 and 2 more.