Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

apparmor: release exe file resources on path failure

get_current_exe_path() takes both an exe_file reference and a path
reference before resolving the path name. If aa_path_name() failed, it
returned immediately and leaked both references.

Route the failure through the common cleanup path so fput() and path_put()
always run after the references are acquired.
Published: 2026-08-15
Score: n/a
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's AppArmor integration. A function that resolves the current executable path retains both an executable file reference and a path reference before successfully resolving the path name. If the path resolution fails, the function returns prematurely but fails to release the acquired references, resulting in a resource leak. This flaw can consume kernel resources over time and may be exploited to degrade system availability.

Affected Systems

Linux operating systems that run kernel versions containing the unpatched AppArmor code are impacted. The flaw applies to all distributions that ship the kernel with the referenced AppArmor components before the fix was introduced.

Risk and Exploitability

Explicit CVSS data is not provided, and the EPSS score is unavailable. The vulnerability is listed as not in the CISA KEV catalog. The likely attack vector would require local privilege or the ability to influence path resolution failures; thus it is considered a local or privileged threat, potentially enabling a denial of service by exhausting kernel resources. No immediate remote exploitation path is described in the supplied information.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 15, 2026 at 11:36 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade the Linux kernel to a version that includes the AppArmor fix for this issue.
  • Ensure that the kernel update is applied through the distribution’s official channels.
  • Restart services that rely on AppArmor or perform a system reboot after the kernel update to trigger cleanup routines.
  • Continuously monitor system resource usage for abnormal patterns that could indicate residual leaks.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 15, 2026 at 11:36 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-401

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: apparmor: release exe file resources on path failure get_current_exe_path() takes both an exe_file reference and a path reference before resolving the path name. If aa_path_name() failed, it returned immediately and leaked both references. Route the failure through the common cleanup path so fput() and path_put() always run after the references are acquired.
Title apparmor: release exe file resources on path failure
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-15T05:57:02.864Z

Reserved: 2026-08-09T03:40:39.932Z

Link: CVE-2026-72456

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-15T06:22:19.597

Modified: 2026-08-15T06:22:19.597

Link: CVE-2026-72456

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-15T11:45:03Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-401

    Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime