A defect in the Linux kernel’s DAMON subsystem causes unremoved sysfs subdirectories to persist after a failed context directory setup, leading to a memory leak. The lingering directory structure renders the DAMON interface effectively unusable until a reboot, potentially exhausting kernel memory and impacting system stability. The vulnerability reflects a resource leak weakness.

Linux kernels 6.19 release candidates 1 through 5 are affected. The issue originates in the DAMON component of the kernel; any distribution shipping these kernel versions inherits the flaw.

The CVSS score of 5.5 indicates moderate severity, and the EPSS score of less than 1% suggests low probability of exploitation in the wild. The flaw requires local kernel access, typically available to privileged users or through an exploit that gains such access. It is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, implying no publicly known active exploits at present.