CVE-2026-72216 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
remoteproc: qcom: Fix leak when custom dump_segments addition fails
Free allocated minidump_region 'name' in qcom_add_minidump_segments() when failing before adding the region to 'dump_segments'. Otherwise, the 'name' is not tracked and is never freed by qcom_minidump_cleanup().
Return error when adding to 'dump_segments' fails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2026
This vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel's remoteproc subsystem, specifically in the Qualcomm (qcom) implementation responsible for managing remote processors. The issue manifests as a memory leak occurring during the custom dump segments addition process, representing a classic resource management flaw that can lead to progressive memory exhaustion over time.
The technical flaw resides in the qcom_add_minidump_segments() function where proper error handling and resource cleanup mechanisms are insufficient. When the function encounters a failure condition before successfully adding a minidump_region to the dump_segments list, it fails to free the allocated 'name' field associated with that region. This creates a memory leak because the name string pointer is never tracked for later cleanup by the qcom_minidump_cleanup() routine which typically handles memory deallocation for all registered dump segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, as it represents a potential denial of service vector within embedded systems and mobile devices running Linux kernels. Systems utilizing Qualcomm remote processors for critical functions such as modem management, audio processing, or communication handling may experience progressive memory degradation, ultimately leading to system instability, performance degradation, or complete system crashes under sustained load conditions.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation scenarios. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where error paths do not properly clean up allocated resources, creating a persistent leak condition that can compound over time. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a resource exhaustion technique that could be leveraged by adversaries to degrade system performance or availability.
The fix implemented addresses both aspects of the vulnerability by ensuring proper cleanup occurs in error conditions and by returning appropriate error codes when segment addition operations fail. This approach follows defensive programming principles and adheres to kernel development best practices for resource management. The solution requires careful attention to error path handling within kernel modules, particularly those managing complex data structures like linked lists of memory regions. System administrators should prioritize applying this patch across all affected Linux kernel versions, especially in environments where remote processor functionality is actively utilized. The fix demonstrates the importance of comprehensive testing of error conditions and proper resource management in kernel space code, where improper cleanup can have cascading effects on overall system stability and security posture.