CVE-2026-72048: Linux Vulnerability

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ieee802154: ca8210: fix cas_ctl leak on spi_async failure ca8210_spi_transfer() allocates cas_ctl with kzalloc_obj(GFP_ATOMIC) and relies entirely on the SPI completion callback ca8210_spi_transfer_complete() to free it. The spi_async() API only invokes the completion callback on successful submission. On failure it returns a negative error code without ever queuing the callback, which leaves cas_ctl and its embedded spi_message and spi_transfer orphaned. Every kfree(cas_ctl) in the driver is inside the completion callback, so there is no other reclamation path. ca8210_spi_transfer() is called from ca8210_spi_exchange(), the interrupt handler ca8210_interrupt_handler(), and from the retry path inside the completion callback itself. The exchange and interrupt handler paths loop on -EBUSY, so under sustained SPI bus contention every retry iteration leaks a fresh cas_ctl (~600 bytes per occurrence). Fix it by freeing cas_ctl on the spi_async() error path. While here, correct the misleading error string: the function calls spi_async(), not spi_sync().

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.21%

11.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux	>= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < 460c5cd51e4d7d15b317f178f42cfcb666c0fe91; >= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < b07aea90dbc6e188c74c100af64b77b9482ffc65; >= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < fe90605b651573d30be8293ff5be40e3d7023117; >= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < b9071dc7889bef42590e04fbf3e56cc65e1e5e6e; >= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < d4a397fe803c2d157f6ebb068b802ef75fbf109e; >= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < cb5cca1d2a908ddd5e357971de0f2009617b8d6a; >= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < 7e3630fbb6aabb844bbf35746dee0bf3894100c7; >= ded845a781a578dfb0b5b2c138e5a067aa3b1242, < e09390e439bd7cca30dd10893b1f64802961667a
Linux	Linux	4.12

References

Timeline

Published: Aug 15, 2026
Last Modified: Aug 17, 2026
Status: Received

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-72048?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ieee802154: ca8210: fix cas_ctl leak on spi_async failure ca8210_spi_transfer() allocates cas_ctl with kzalloc_obj(GFP_ATOMIC) and relies entirely on the SPI completion callback ca8210_spi_transfer_complete() to free it. The spi_async() API only invokes the completion callback on successful submission. On failure it returns a negative error code without ever queuing the callback, which leaves cas_ctl and its embedded spi_message and spi_transfer orphaned. Every kfree(cas_ctl) in the driver is inside the completion callback, so there is no other reclamation path. ca8210_spi_transfer() is called from ca8210_spi_exchange(), the interrupt handler ca8210_interrupt_handler(), and from the retry path inside the completion callback itself. The exchange and interrupt handler paths loop on -EBUSY, so under sustained SPI bus contention every retry iteration leaks a fresh cas_ctl (~600 bytes per occurrence). Fix it by freeing cas_ctl on the spi_async() error path. While here, correct the misleading error string: the function calls spi_async(), not spi_sync().

How severe is CVE-2026-72048?

Severity scoring for CVE-2026-72048 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.21% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-72048?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

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