CVE-2026-72431: Linux kernel · alloc_tag: fix use-after-free in /proc/allocinfo after module unload
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 28 Oct 2026, 00:59 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- 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.
Patches and advisories
- 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)
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.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: alloc_tag: fix use-after-free in /proc/allocinfo after module unload allocinfo_start() only reinitializes the codetag iterator at position 0. For subsequent reads (position > 0), it reuses cached iterator state from the previous batch. allocinfo_stop() drops mod_lock between read batches, which allows module unload to complete and free the module memory that the cached iterator still references: CPU0 (read) CPU1 (rmmod) ---- ---- allocinfo_start(pos=0) down_read(mod_lock) allocinfo_show() ... allocinfo_stop() up_read(mod_lock) codetag_unload_module() kfree(cmod) release_module_tags() ... free_mod_mem() allocinfo_start(pos=N) down_read(mod_lock) // reuses cached iter, skips re-init allocinfo_show() ct->filename <-- UAF After free_mod_mem() frees the module's .rodata, allocinfo_show() dereferences ct->filename, ct->function which point there. Save the iterator state in allocinfo_next() and resume from it in allocinfo_start() with codetag_next_ct(), which detects module removal via idr_find() returning NULL and skips to the next module.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72431 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72431 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/2956268efc457cb05d29c1bf94de1e8e684d7bbc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/008ceffd44040f809aead6d7bef7cb1210c4149a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2956268efc457cb05d29c1bf94de1e8e684d7bbc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/37e3e8a2c3bfdd503209f043f8bbfbdcf5a1d92f (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)