CVE-2026-72271 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fbdev: i740fb: fix potential memory leak in i740fb_probe()
In i740fb_probe(), the memory allocated in fb_videomode_to_modelist() for modelist is not freed in the error paths. Fix that by calling fb_destroy_modelist().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's framebuffer device driver specifically affects the i740fb driver which handles Intel 840 and 845 graphics chipsets. This memory leak occurs during the probe phase of device initialization when the driver attempts to establish communication with hardware components. The flaw represents a classic resource management issue where allocated memory structures are not properly deallocated when error conditions occur during driver initialization.
The technical implementation involves the fb_videomode_to_modelist() function which dynamically allocates memory to store video mode information for the graphics hardware. When this function succeeds, it populates a modelist structure containing video mode specifications that the driver needs to operate correctly. However, during error handling paths within i740fb_probe(), the code fails to invoke fb_destroy_modelist() to release the previously allocated memory resources. This creates a memory leak scenario where each failed probe operation accumulates unreleased memory, potentially leading to system resource exhaustion over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues as it affects the overall stability and reliability of systems running affected kernel versions. Memory leaks in device drivers can progressively degrade system performance by consuming available RAM resources, potentially leading to out-of-memory conditions that may cause system crashes or unexpected behavior. In embedded or resource-constrained environments, this leak could be particularly problematic as the limited memory pool would be depleted more rapidly.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-401 which categorizes improper resource management and memory leaks as significant security concerns. The issue represents a potential denial-of-service vector where sustained exploitation could exhaust system resources and impact system availability. Additionally, this flaw may provide an entry point for attackers who could leverage the memory exhaustion to disrupt normal system operations or potentially cause privilege escalation scenarios.
The fix implemented addresses the root cause by ensuring proper cleanup of allocated resources through explicit invocation of fb_destroy_modelist() in all error paths within the i740fb_probe() function. This remediation follows established security practices for resource management and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers resource exhaustion attacks. The solution demonstrates proper defensive programming principles where every allocation has a corresponding deallocation, preventing potential exploitation through memory-based attack vectors.
Security practitioners should prioritize patching this vulnerability across systems running affected kernel versions, particularly in environments where multiple device probe operations may occur or where system stability is critical. The fix requires minimal code changes while providing significant security benefits by eliminating the memory leak and reducing the risk of resource exhaustion attacks that could impact system availability and performance.