CVE-2026-72272 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fbdev: radeon: fix potential memory leak in radeonfb_pci_register()
The function radeonfb_pci_register() allocates memory for modelist (by calling radeon_check_modes() which calls fb_add_videomode()). The memory is appended to info->modelist, but is not freed in subsequent error paths. Fix this by calling fb_destroy_modelist().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2026
The vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel's framebuffer subsystem, specifically affecting the radeon graphics driver implementation. This memory leak occurs during the initialization process of Radeon framebuffer devices through the radeonfb_pci_register() function which handles PCI device registration and setup. 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 radeonfb_pci_register() function executing radeon_check_modes() which in turn calls fb_add_videomode() to populate the modelist structure within the framebuffer information structure. While the function correctly appends video mode information to info->modelist, it fails to implement proper cleanup mechanisms for error paths. When subsequent error conditions are encountered during initialization, the allocated memory remains unreleased, creating a persistent memory leak that accumulates with each failed initialization attempt.
This vulnerability impacts system stability and resource utilization particularly in environments where graphics drivers undergo frequent initialization cycles or where multiple Radeon devices are present. The memory leak can progressively consume available system resources, potentially leading to degraded performance or system instability over time. Attackers could theoretically exploit this by repeatedly triggering driver initialization failures to amplify memory consumption, though the direct attack surface is limited given that this affects kernel-level driver initialization rather than user-space applications.
The fix implements proper resource cleanup by invoking fb_destroy_modelist() when error paths are encountered during radeonfb_pci_register() execution. This follows established patterns for defensive programming where allocated resources must be freed regardless of execution flow. The solution aligns with common security practices outlined in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog under weakness category 401, which addresses improper release of memory. This remediation ensures that all allocated video mode information structures are properly destroyed when initialization fails, preventing the accumulation of leaked memory resources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling in kernel space code where resource leaks can persist across system operations. The fix addresses a fundamental issue in the driver's resource management approach and represents a typical defensive programming pattern that should be applied throughout kernel subsystems. Security practitioners should note that such memory management issues often serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities, making proper resource cleanup essential for overall system security posture. The remediation directly addresses the ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting weaknesses in system memory management to maintain persistence or escalate privileges through resource exhaustion attacks.