CVE-2026-72368: Linux kernel · cachefiles: Fix double unlock in nomem_d_alloc error path
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 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 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
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 and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to fix the double unlock in the cachefiles subsystem. Users should update to the fixed kernel releases listed in the advisory. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A double unlock vulnerability in the Linux kernel's cachefiles subsystem was fixed. The issue occurs when the start_creating() function fails with -ENOMEM and releases a directory lock, but the error path then attempts to unlock the same lock again, corrupting the read-write semaphore state. This flaw was introduced by an incomplete update to locking logic in a prior commit. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a CVSS score of 7.8. A patch is available to correct this issue.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72368 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/26757dac15175f2a42e3537f1ba86e62456d48f1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c256fba2b46020004201c500b2a1fbc707a33ef (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72368 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72368 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/8c256fba2b46020004201c500b2a1fbc707a33ef (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)