CVE-2026-72034: fhandle: reject detached mounts in capable_wrt_mount()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fhandle: reject detached mounts in capablewrtmount()
The recent fhandle RCU fix moved the mount namespace capability check into capablewrtmount(), so a non-NULL mntnamespace survives the nscapable() dereference. The helper still assumes the later READONCE(mount->mntns) must be non-NULL because maydecodefh() checked ismounted() first.
That assumption is not stable. A detached mount from opentree(..., OPENTREECLONE) can be dissolved on fput while openbyhandleat() is between those checks, and umounttree() can clear mount->mntns. If the helper observes NULL, it dereferences mntns->userns and panics.
Return false when the RCU read observes a detached mount. This keeps the relaxed permission path conservative: a mount no longer attached to a namespace cannot authorize openbyhandleat() access.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-72034?
The severity of CVE-2026-72034 is rated at 50.
How do I fix CVE-2026-72034?
To fix CVE-2026-72034, you need to update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been addressed.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72034?
CVE-2026-72034 affects systems running specific versions of the Linux kernel that contain the vulnerable fhandle code.
What can happen if I don't address CVE-2026-72034?
If CVE-2026-72034 is not addressed, it could potentially allow unauthorized mounting operations due to the mishandling of capabilities.
Is CVE-2026-72034 a remote exploit?
CVE-2026-72034 is not classified as a remote exploit, but it may still pose risks to local system integrity.