CVE-2026-72230 batman-adv: frag: free unfragmentable packet
A memory management flaw in the batman-adv kernel module allows attackers to cause a denial of service by triggering improper packet handling.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72230?
CVE-2026-72230 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 15 Aug 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:
batman-adv: frag: free unfragmentable packet
The caller of batadv_frag_send_packet() assume that the skb provided to the function are always consumed. But the pre-check for an empty payload or the zero fragment size returned an error without any further actions.
A failed pre-check must use the same error handling code as the rest of the function.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72230?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72230?
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-2026-72230 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72230 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-72230, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72230, GHSA-rc8c-qgh9-hw5x, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72230.