CVE-2026-97606 fs: autofs: fix memory leak in autofs_fill_super()
A memory leak in the Linux kernel autofs filesystem allows local attackers to cause denial of service by exhausting kernel 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-2026-97606?
CVE-2026-97606 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 25 Sep 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:
fs: autofs: fix memory leak in autofs_fill_super()
In autofs_fill_super(), we create a new inode using autofs_new_ino(), however, if we fail to create root_inode, (that is, root_inode failure path), we return -ENOMEM without freeing the new inode(ino) that we created causing a memory leak. Fix this by adding autofs_free_ino() to free the inode we created in root_inode failure path before returning ENOMEM.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-97606?
How do I fix CVE-2026-97606?
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-2026-97606 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-97606 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-97606, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97606, GHSA-658w-8mcr-xc7q, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-97606.