CVE-2026-72102 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
dm_early_create: fix freeing used table on dm_resume failure
If dm_resume fails, the kernel attempts to free table with dm_table_destroy, but the table was already instantiated with dm_swap_table. This commit skips the call to dm_table_destroy in this case.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical memory management issue within the Linux device mapper subsystem that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. This flaw exists in the dm_early_create functionality where the kernel's device mapper handles table lifecycle management during resume operations, specifically when the dm_resume function fails to complete successfully. The device mapper is a fundamental component of the Linux storage stack that provides transparent encryption, volume management, and other advanced storage features through the device-mapper target framework.
The technical root cause stems from improper handling of table destruction logic within the kernel's device mapper implementation. When dm_resume encounters a failure condition, the code path attempts to clean up resources by calling dm_table_destroy on what it believes to be a table that needs disposal. However, this table has already been processed through dm_swap_table which instantiates or swaps in the table structure for active use. The conflict arises because dm_swap_table creates a new table instance while dm_table_destroy expects to operate on a different state of the same table structure, leading to potential double-free conditions or memory corruption when attempting to free memory that has already been properly managed through the swap operation.
This vulnerability directly impacts system stability and can result in kernel panics, system crashes, or more subtle memory corruption issues that may manifest as data loss or service disruption. The operational impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise the integrity of storage operations within systems relying on device mapper functionality. Such failures are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where device mapper is used for logical volume management, encryption, and other critical storage operations. The flaw demonstrates poor resource state management practices that violate fundamental kernel design principles for memory safety and proper cleanup procedures.
The mitigation strategy involves modifying the error handling path to recognize when a table has already been swapped through dm_swap_table and avoid calling dm_table_destroy on such structures. This approach aligns with established kernel development practices for preventing double-free conditions and maintaining proper resource state transitions. The fix essentially implements a conditional check that prevents the destruction call from executing when the table is in an already-processed state, thereby avoiding conflicts between different table lifecycle management functions. Organizations should prioritize applying this patch to prevent potential system instability, as the vulnerability can be triggered through normal device mapper operations and may be exploitable by malicious actors attempting to cause denial of service conditions.
This vulnerability type relates to CWE-415 Double Free and CWE-416 Use After Free categories within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing improper handling of resource states during error conditions. From an ATT&CK perspective, this represents a potential system stability degradation technique that could be leveraged in persistent denial of service attacks against storage services or systems relying heavily on device mapper functionality. The fix demonstrates proper kernel error handling methodologies for maintaining state consistency across complex subsystems and preventing memory corruption through careful resource management during failure scenarios.