# 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.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **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:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 Aug 2026
- **Updated:** 17 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** BELL-CVE-2026-72079, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72079, GHSA-6f4m-gf33-r3p4, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72079

## 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.

## Is CVE-2026-72079 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72079 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-72079 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: 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.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72079 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-72079/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-72079/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72079
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72079
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72079

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-72079/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.