CVE-2026-72240: Linux kernel · mfd: sm501: Fix reference leak on failed device registration
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +41
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 reference leak by ensuring platform_device_put() is called on failure paths in sm501_register_device(). Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the patch.
Description
A reference leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mfd: sm501 driver was fixed. The issue occurs when platform_device_register() fails during device registration, causing the device reference not to be properly released. This leads to a resource leak. The flaw was identified via static analysis and manual review. A patch is available to address this by ensuring platform_device_put() is called on failure.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72240 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0baf9d43a7b7b43df2900bd8656e75b725028b6e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/16a42c88c4667fa0bd944e438a667e059551f1f1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2ff8156fd500d54c61430b6834137fd0a07047ce (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/760a1029692f1d788dc11aa636a3bf432e58b240 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c2f0b42fc252e1bf1c7746447091a468e784ca1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a3e340d506c1036a747fb0972aebf1063f7ef30e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bbb1ecaed4ed7680e63d3a0f143f03de32de5d6e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e2dac91380a10e9e8d5883fb73ce9d9b390a629c (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72240 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72240 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/8c2f0b42fc252e1bf1c7746447091a468e784ca1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8876-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8878-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8879-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8877-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8875-1 (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)