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 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 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.
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 that fixes the missing cleanup calls in the dell-laptop driver's initialization error path. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms the availability of the patch. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the update.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's platform/x86 dell-laptop driver was fixed to address missing cleanup operations in the initialization error path of dell_init(). The flaw caused certain resources like the notifier, debugfs directory, keyboard backlight LED, and optional touchpad LED to remain registered if initialization failed after some resources were allocated. This could lead to resource leaks or inconsistent states. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions listed and has a CVSS score of 7.8. A patch is available to correct this behavior.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72144 (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/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)
- 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)