CVE-2026-72214: Linux kernel · power: supply: cpcap-battery: Fix missing nvmem_device_put() causing reference leak
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, 13:47 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 fixes the missing nvmem_device_put() call to prevent the reference leak. Users should update to the fixed Linux kernel versions as provided by their vendor. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A reference leak vulnerability was identified and fixed in the Linux kernel's cpcap-battery driver. The issue involved a missing call to nvmem_device_put() after obtaining a reference via nvmem_device_find(), causing a permanent reference leak. This leak could be compounded by the driver's retry logic, preventing the nvmem device from being freed properly. The flaw was discovered through code review and affects specific Linux kernel versions.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72214 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/700c225d829a1256b59053c34a1a9d1a6ab70b09 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a2c14ff63e0e02e3c832385e523e9cc81301171c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a3d81de441233a92ec21469cd0c4eb3c26b95cd8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b56a5cbf8f1f1a5740f1137c89b14d0373309d8d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/deaf6b3f8187231ad8f7770b10ed0be2cd47e9b2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fc65520fe0781a1ff46631f111e07b4a1c677b96 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72214 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72214 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/a2c14ff63e0e02e3c832385e523e9cc81301171c (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)