CVE-2026-72161: Linux kernel · ocfs2: add journal NULL check in ocfs2_checkpoint_inode()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 11% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1 +11
Exploitation 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 adds the necessary NULL check to prevent the NULL pointer dereference. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that address this issue. The vendor advisory confirms the fix is included in updated kernel packages.
Description
A null pointer dereference vulnerability was identified and fixed in the Linux kernel's ocfs2 filesystem code. The issue occurs during unmount when the journal pointer is freed and set to NULL, but subsequent inode eviction code attempts to dereference this NULL pointer. This flaw could cause a kernel crash. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been patched. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72161 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/24daf13422e8328fd588c34a017bdef1949910e8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/499714de42ab4d2e778cbb10186684142a1222eb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/63921f790234b221e4b15c56c72888b13250f81d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7da7e4ac21895fe34cceffcfc99497cc2750da99 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a291c77c034b7a81849ce9b71cc9ecda9e587d89 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb6a13834c23e291f1170cb1b489ec255edfa5a3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72161 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72161 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/a291c77c034b7a81849ce9b71cc9ecda9e587d89 (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-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)