CVE-2026-72176

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/damon/sysfs-schemes: put stats for scheme_add_dirs() internal error damon_sysfs_scheme_add_dirs() setup the tried_regions directory after the stats directory setup is completed. When the tried_regions directory setup is failed, the setup function ensures the reference for the tried regions directory is released. Hence the error path should put references on setup succeeded directory objects, starting from the stats directory. However, the error path is putting the tried_regions directory instead of the stats directory. As a direct result, the stats directory object is leaked. Worse yet, if the tried_regions directory setup failed from the initial allocation, the scheme->tried_regions field remains uninitialized. The following kobject_put(&scheme->tried_regions->kobj) call in the error path will dereference the uninitialized memory. The setup failures should not be common. But once it happens, the consequence is quite bad. Fix this issue by correctly putting the stats directory instead of the tried_regions directory. The issue was discovered [1] by Sashiko.

At a glance

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2026-08-15 06:21 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-08-17 06:18 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: not scored yet.
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2026-08-15 06:21 UTC

Last modified

2026-08-17 06:18 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Received

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-72176.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-72176. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

Copy as ticket · More options · Status badge