CVE-2026-72144: Linux kernel · platform/x86: dell-laptop: fix missing cleanups in init error path
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 6.8.0-147.147 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 05:11 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 5% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-147.147, 6.8.0-1067.70, 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 +26
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Aug 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8889-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8886-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8917-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8918-1 (opens in a new tab)
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and has been released in multiple Linux kernel versions including 6.8.0-147.147, 6.8.0-1067.70, 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1, and others. Users and administrators should update affected Linux kernel versions to these fixed releases to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation actions are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2026-72144 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's platform/x86 dell-laptop driver. It involves missing cleanup calls in the initialization error path of dell_init(), which can leave certain resources registered after an error occurs during initialization. This flaw was fixed in multiple Linux kernel versions starting from 6.8.0-147.147 and others. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72144 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72144 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/6e9cab2247e5b243ae2d907ce7c948a8a9c8d61a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1e41ca4a7fba2e680d6950e9511245255fffa46c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6bd76d5421a72d2526c9be8f01f55bee960f899f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e9cab2247e5b243ae2d907ce7c948a8a9c8d61a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b351e082711d12f075a36a6cd67709693689315f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e4908b3bed755f73870416b971e162a8d0ef0aef (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8889-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8886-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8917-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8918-1 (opens in a new tab)