CVE-2026-72097
Received Received - Intake

NULL Pointer Dereference in Linux Kernel dm-verity

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-72097, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-08-15

Last updated on: 2026-08-17

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: dm-verity: fix a possible NULL pointer dereference Fix a possible NULL pointer dereference dm_verity_loadpin_is_bdev_trusted if the device has no table.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-15
Last Modified
2026-08-17
Generated
2026-09-04
AI Q&A
2026-08-15
EPSS Evaluated
2026-09-03
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux_kernel dm_verity *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference in the Linux kernel's dm-verity module. It occurs when dm_verity_loadpin_is_bdev_trusted is called on a device without a table, potentially causing a crash or unexpected behavior.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the dm-verity module of the Linux kernel. Detection requires checking kernel logs for dm-verity related errors or crashes. Commands like 'dmesg | grep dm-verity' or 'journalctl -k | grep dm-verity' may help identify issues. Ensure your kernel version is updated to a patched release.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this flaw could lead to system instability or denial of service by crashing the kernel. It may also allow unauthorized access if combined with other vulnerabilities, though standalone impact is limited to potential crashes.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability does not directly affect compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or similar standards as it involves a NULL pointer dereference in the Linux kernel's dm-verity component. No evidence suggests it impacts data protection, encryption, or access controls required by these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Immediately update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version that includes the fix for this dm-verity vulnerability. If updating is not possible, consider disabling dm-verity features if they are not critical to your system's operation. Monitor kernel logs for any signs of exploitation or crashes.

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