CVE-2026-72431

alloc_tag: fix use-after-free in /proc/allocinfo after module unload

Published Aug 15, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

alloc_tag: fix use-after-free in /proc/allocinfo after module unload

allocinfo_start() only reinitializes the codetag iterator at position 0.
For subsequent reads (position > 0), it reuses cached iterator state from
the previous batch. allocinfo_stop() drops mod_lock between read batches,
which allows module unload to complete and free the module memory that the
cached iterator still references:

CPU0 (read) CPU1 (rmmod)
---- ----
allocinfo_start(pos=0)
down_read(mod_lock)
allocinfo_show()
...
allocinfo_stop()
up_read(mod_lock)
codetag_unload_module()
kfree(cmod)
release_module_tags()
...
free_mod_mem()
allocinfo_start(pos=N)
down_read(mod_lock)
// reuses cached iter, skips re-init
allocinfo_show()
ct->filename <-- UAF

After free_mod_mem() frees the module's .rodata, allocinfo_show()
dereferences ct->filename, ct->function which point there.

Save the iterator state in allocinfo_next() and resume from it in
allocinfo_start() with codetag_next_ct(), which detects module removal via
idr_find() returning NULL and skips to the next module.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8887-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8888-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8889-1 Linux kernel (OEM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8887-2 Linux kernel (AWS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8888-2 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8887-3 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9003-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9043-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-825
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: alloc_tag: fix use-after-free in /proc/allocinfo after module unload allocinfo_start() only reinitializes the codetag iterator at position 0. For subsequent reads (position > 0), it reuses cached iterator state from the previous batch. allocinfo_stop() drops mod_lock between read batches, which allows module unload to complete and free the module memory that the cached iterator still references: CPU0 (read) CPU1 (rmmod) ---- ---- allocinfo_start(pos=0) down_read(mod_lock) allocinfo_show() ... allocinfo_stop() up_read(mod_lock) codetag_unload_module() kfree(cmod) release_module_tags() ... free_mod_mem() allocinfo_start(pos=N) down_read(mod_lock) // reuses cached iter, skips re-init allocinfo_show() ct->filename <-- UAF After free_mod_mem() frees the module's .rodata, allocinfo_show() dereferences ct->filename, ct->function which point there. Save the iterator state in allocinfo_next() and resume from it in allocinfo_start() with codetag_next_ct(), which detects module removal via idr_find() returning NULL and skips to the next module.
Title alloc_tag: fix use-after-free in /proc/allocinfo after module unload
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Aug 17, 2026, 5:14 AM
Reserved
Aug 9, 2026, 3:40 AM
Status
Received
Published
Aug 15, 2026, 6:22 AM
Modified
Aug 17, 2026, 6:19 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Aug 15, 2026, 12:00 AM