CVE-2026-72079 Input: ims-pcu - fix use-after-free and double-free in disconnect
A malicious USB device can trigger a use-after-free in the ims-pcu driver, potentially allowing local attackers to execute code or escalate privileges.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72079?
CVE-2026-72079 is an use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 15 Aug 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
Input: ims-pcu - fix use-after-free and double-free in disconnect
ims_pcu_disconnect() only intended to perform cleanup when the primary (control) interface is unbound. However, it currently relies on the interface class to distinguish between control and data interfaces. A malicious device could present a data interface with the same class as the control interface, leading to premature cleanup and potential use-after-free or double-free.
Switch to verifying that the interface being disconnected is indeed the control interface.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72079?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72079?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-72079 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72079 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-72079, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72079, GHSA-6f4m-gf33-r3p4, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72079.