CVE-2026-72102 dm_early_create: fix freeing used table on dm_resume failure
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel device-mapper subsystem allows attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially execute code.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72102?
CVE-2026-72102 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 15 Aug 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
dm_early_create: fix freeing used table on dm_resume failure
If dm_resume fails, the kernel attempts to free table with dm_table_destroy, but the table was already instantiated with dm_swap_table. This commit skips the call to dm_table_destroy in this case.
Weakness: CWE-415
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72102?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72102?
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-2026-72102 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72102 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-72102, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72102, GHSA-9cpr-x8vv-xjrp, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72102.