Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4 gpib command_ioctl use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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8.7$5k-$25k0.47+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4. Affected by this issue is the function command_ioctl of the component gpib. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-72482. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4. This affects the function command_ioctl of the component gpib. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gpib: fix double decrement of descriptor_busy in command_ioctl() commit d1857f8296dc ("gpib: fix use-after-free in IO ioctl handlers") introduced a descriptor_busy reference counter to pin struct gpib_descriptor across IO ioctl operations. In command_ioctl(), the error path inside the loop decrements descriptor_busy and breaks, but execution then falls through to the unconditional decrement after the loop, underflowing the counter to -1. This re-enables the use-after-free that the original fix was meant to prevent: a concurrent close_dev_ioctl() sees descriptor_busy == 0 on an actively-used descriptor and frees it. Remove the early decrement from the error path. The post-loop decrement already handles all exit paths, matching the correct pattern used in read_ioctl() and write_ioctl().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-72482 since 08/09/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are needed for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch fdee9f207a48ce204ec6cfceaa1459d2473600a5/8b5f1d295dda8677e4545ce340053fcfa8b634c7/c4faab452b3c1ada003d49c477609dd80523b9bf is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.7

VulDB Base Score: 9.1
VulDB Temp Score: 8.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc1
Patch: fdee9f207a48ce204ec6cfceaa1459d2473600a5/8b5f1d295dda8677e4545ce340053fcfa8b634c7/c4faab452b3c1ada003d49c477609dd80523b9bf

Timelineinfo

08/09/2026 CVE reserved
08/15/2026 +6 days Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-72482 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72482
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390699

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 14:08
Changes: 08/15/2026 14:08 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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