CVE-2026-72228 batman-adv: frag: fix primary_if leak on failed linearization
A memory leak in the Linux kernel batman-adv module allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via crafted fragmented packets.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72228?
CVE-2026-72228 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 15 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
batman-adv: frag: fix primary_if leak on failed linearization
If the skb has a frag_list, it must be linearized before it can be split using skb_split(). But when this step failed, it must not only free the skb but also take care of the reference to the already found primary_if.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72228?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72228?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-72228 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72228 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-72228, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72228, GHSA-pp95-v844-r482, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72228.