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CVE Record

CVE-2026-46096: tpm2-sessions: Fix missing tpm_buf_destroy() in tpm2_read_public()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tpm2-sessions: Fix missing tpm_buf_destroy() in tpm2_read_public() tpm2_read_public() calls tpm_buf_init() but fails to call tpm_buf_destroy() on two exit paths, leaking a page allocation: 1. When name_size() returns an error (unrecognized hash algorithm), the function returns directly without destroying the buffer. 2. On the success path, the buffer is never destroyed before returning. All other error paths in the function correctly call tpm_buf_destroy() before returning. Fix both by adding the missing tpm_buf_destroy() calls.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-46096 is a Linux kernel TPM2-session memory leak. A kernel function allocates a buffer and misses cleanup on two return paths, leaking a page allocation. The available sources do not provide CVSS, distribution impact, or evidence of active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as routine-to-moderate kernel maintenance unless your environment depends heavily on TPM2 paths or has unpatched custom kernels. There is no source-backed evidence of active exploitation, but kernel memory leaks can affect availability over time.

Technical view

The issue is in tpm2_read_public(). It calls tpm_buf_init() but fails to call tpm_buf_destroy() on the success path and when name_size() errors on an unrecognized hash algorithm. Stable kernel commits add the missing cleanup calls.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the relevant TPM2 code path. The source bundle lists Linux kernel affected entries but does not identify affected distributions, configurations, or remote attack surface.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source reports active exploitation. Based on the description, the plausible impact is resource leakage, but exploitability and practical denial-of-service conditions are not established here.

Researcher notes

The record is precise about the missing tpm_buf_destroy() calls but sparse on impact. Key gaps are CVSS, CWE, triggerability, privilege requirements, and distribution mapping. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond a kernel page-allocation leak without additional vendor analysis.

Mitigation direction

  • Review vendor kernel advisories for your Linux distribution.
  • Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using TPM2 functionality or kernel versions listed as affected.
  • Track distribution backports rather than relying only on upstream version numbers.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, workstations, and appliances.
  • Check whether vendor kernel packages include the referenced upstream fixes.
  • Confirm TPM2 support or usage on potentially affected systems.
  • Monitor kernel logs and reliability signals for unusual resource pressure.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-46096 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux20eda7c74b69fe9e1caf9b930a5c016bf8d755fa, bda1cbf73c6e241267c286427f2ed52b5735d872, bda1cbf73c6e241267c286427f2ed52b5735d872, a3b7eb67225c486a2da357c5db3e386f4e64bcde, 6.18.3, 6.12.64unaffected
LinuxLinux6.19, 0, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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