CVE-2026-72371 afs: Fix the volume AFS_VOLUME_RM_TREE is set on
Incorrect flag assignment in the Linux kernel AFS module causes improper volume removal from the cell tree, leading to potential resource management errors.
- 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-2026-72371?
CVE-2026-72371 is a high-severity 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:
afs: Fix the volume AFS_VOLUME_RM_TREE is set on
Fix afs_insert_volume_into_cell() to set AFS_VOLUME_RM_TREE on the volume replaced, not the new volume, as it's now removed from the cell's volume tree. This will cause the old volume to be removed from the tree twice and the new volume never to be removed.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72371?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72371?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-72371 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72371 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-72371, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72371, GHSA-446r-vwhm-chv5, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72371.