CVE-2026-72268: Linux kernel · fbdev: tdfxfb: fix potential memory leak in tdfxfb_probe()
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, 13:47 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 memory leak by properly freeing allocated memory in error paths. Users should update to the fixed Linux kernel versions as provided by their distribution vendors. The Ubuntu advisory USN-8876-1 confirms the availability of fixes. No additional mitigation actions are required beyond applying the official update.
Description
A potential memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's fbdev subsystem, specifically in the tdfxfb driver, was identified and fixed. The issue occurred in the tdfxfb_probe() function where allocated memory for modelist was not freed on error paths when CONFIG_FB_3DFX_I2C is defined. This flaw has been addressed by ensuring fb_destroy_modelist() is called to free the memory. 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-2026-72268 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2199d70efc5bea0e9b4462a4f9e4c3d3c21c5d34 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/237611edf15172e4dc7fa9b3b71c2445602d3459 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fd16a94bea5e0c3e93791436cf8a800b175762a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b039e0693df003c5baa1e89630344f92a78afb15 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b7b26adc2718ca8f81ca75cd03aee94269d00e8a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bb019d755366cc3e777a12d4bf457ff289837370 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dfbb1a695d8891774c80c0e2a9192afb66469eb7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1ca9b8559e0f5959228626bdeaae530a1ee0337 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72268 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72268 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/bb019d755366cc3e777a12d4bf457ff289837370 (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)