CVE-2026-72438: md/raid10: fix writes_pending and barrier reference leaks on discard failures

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2026-72438?

CVE-2026-72438 has a risk rating of 37, indicating a moderate severity level.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-72438?

To fix CVE-2026-72438, update to the latest version of the Linux kernel that addresses this vulnerability.

Q: What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72438?

CVE-2026-72438 affects systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel that implement RAID 10 functionalities.

Q: What does CVE-2026-72438 impact?

CVE-2026-72438 impacts disk management within the Linux kernel, specifically related to RAID 10 discard operations.

Q: Is there a workaround for CVE-2026-72438 until I can apply a fix?

There are no specific workarounds documented for CVE-2026-72438; updating the kernel is recommended as the best course of action.

Published Aug 15, 2026

Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

md/raid10: fix writespending and barrier reference leaks on discard failures

raid10makerequest() acquires a writespending reference with mdwritestart() before calling raid10handlediscard(). Several failure paths in raid10handlediscard() complete the bio and return without releasing the corresponding reference, causing mdwriteend() to be skipped.

Call mdwriteend() before returning from these failure paths to keep writespending accounting balanced.

Additionally, discard split allocation failures can occur after waitbarrier() succeeds. Those paths return without calling allowbarrier(), leaking the associated barrier reference.

Release the barrier before returning from those paths.

Affected Software

214 affected componentsFixes available

Linux Linux kernel

debian/linux*

debian/linux<6.12.111-1

6.12.111-1

debian/linux<7.1.5-1

7.1.5-1

debian/linux-6.12<6.12.111-1~deb12u1

6.12.111-1~deb12u1

linux/kernel>=5.17.0<6.1.191

6.1.191

linux/kernel>=6.2.0<6.6.160

6.6.160

linux/kernel>=6.7.0<6.12.111

6.12.111

linux/kernel>=6.13.0<6.18.53

6.18.53

linux/kernel>=6.19.0<7.1.5

7.1.5

All of the following

azurelinux/kernel<6.6.161.1-1

6.6.161.1-1

Microsoft Azure Linux=3.0

debian/linux<=6.1.176-1, <=6.1.190-1, <=6.12.107-1

6.12.116-17.2.15-17.3.3-1

debian/linux-6.12

6.12.115-2~deb12u1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-oem*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi2*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*

ubuntu/linux*

ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8<6.8.0-1069.74~22.04.1

6.8.0-1069.74~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8<6.8.0-1073.82~22.04.1

6.8.0-1073.82~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8<6.8.0-1071.78~22.04.1

6.8.0-1071.78~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8<6.8.0-1073.81~22.04.1

6.8.0-1073.81~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-ibm*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8<6.8.0-1069.70~22.04.1

6.8.0-1069.70~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg*

ubuntu/linux-kvm*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-149.149.1~22.04.1

6.8.0-149.149.1~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8<6.8.0-1067.71~22.04.1

6.8.0-1067.71~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp*

ubuntu/linux-bluefield*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8<6.8.1-1064.65~22.04.1

6.8.1-1064.65~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux<6.8.0-149.149

6.8.0-149.149

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.8.0-1069.74

6.8.0-1069.74

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-aws-7.0<7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1

7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.8.0-1073.82

6.8.0-1073.82

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-azure-7.0<7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1

7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-7.0<7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1

7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.8.0-1073.81

6.8.0-1073.81

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-7.0<7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1

7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke<6.8.0-1068.77

6.8.0-1068.77

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<6.8.0-1053.57

6.8.0-1053.57

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0<7.0.0-38.38~24.04.4

7.0.0-38.38~24.04.4

ubuntu/linux-ibm<6.8.0-1069.70

6.8.0-1069.70

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<6.8.0-149.149.1

6.8.0-149.149.1

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<6.8.0-1067.70

6.8.0-1067.70

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-7.0<7.0.0-1024.25~24.04.1

7.0.0-1024.25~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<6.8.0-1036.39

6.8.0-1036.39

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.8.0-1067.71

6.8.0-1067.71

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-7.0<7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1

7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.8.0-1068.72

6.8.0-1068.72

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0<7.0.0-38.38.1~24.04.1

7.0.0-38.38.1~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-vmware<6.8.0-1010.10

6.8.0-1010.10

ubuntu/linux-xilinx*

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<6.8.0-1036.41

6.8.0-1036.41

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime<6.8.0-2056.58

6.8.0-2056.58

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.8.1-1064.65

6.8.1-1064.65

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<6.8.0-1069.74+fips1

6.8.0-1069.74+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<6.8.0-1073.82+fips1

6.8.0-1073.82+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<6.8.0-1073.81+fips1

6.8.0-1073.81+fips1

ubuntu/linux<7.0.0-38.38

7.0.0-38.38

ubuntu/linux-aws<7.0.0-1014.14

7.0.0-1014.14

ubuntu/linux-azure<7.0.0-1017.17

7.0.0-1017.17

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<7.0.0-1016.16

7.0.0-1016.16

ubuntu/linux-gcp<7.0.0-1014.14

7.0.0-1014.14

ubuntu/linux-gke<7.0.0-1008.9

7.0.0-1008.9

ubuntu/linux-ibm<7.0.0-1015.15

7.0.0-1015.15

ubuntu/linux-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-bos<7.0.0-2022.23

7.0.0-2022.23

ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0<7.0.0-1015.15

7.0.0-1015.15

ubuntu/linux-oracle<7.0.0-1013.13

7.0.0-1013.13

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-realtime<7.0.0-38.38.1

7.0.0-38.38.1

ubuntu/linux-riscv<7.0.0-38.38.1

7.0.0-38.38.1

ubuntu/linux-vmware*

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.111-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.1.5-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux-6.12 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.111-1~deb12u1
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.191
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.6.160
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.111
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.18.53
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.1.5
Upgrade
Upgrade azurelinux/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.6.161.1-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.116-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1Fixed in 7.3.3-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux-6.12 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.115-2~deb12u1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1069.74~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1073.82~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1071.78~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1073.81~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1069.70~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-149.149.1~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1067.71~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1064.65~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-149.149
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1069.74
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1073.82
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1073.81
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1068.77
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1053.57
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38~24.04.4
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1069.70
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-149.149.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1067.70
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1024.25~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1036.39
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1067.71
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1068.72
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38.1~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-vmware to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1010.10
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1036.41
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-2056.58
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1064.65
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1069.74+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1073.82+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1073.81+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1016.16
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1008.9
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1015.15
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-bos to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-2022.23
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1015.15
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38.1
Operational
In raid10_handle_discard() failure paths that complete the bio after wait_barrier() succeeds, call md_write_end() and allow_barrier() before returning to balance writes_pending accounting and release the barrier reference.

Event History

Aug 15, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·05:56 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·05:56 AM

DescriptionSeverity

Data Sourced

via OSV·05:56 AM

DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Data Sourced

via NVD·06:22 AM

DescriptionSeverity

Aug 23, 2026

Data Sourced

via Microsoft·10:01 PM

DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

DSA-6528

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

DLA-4817-1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-72438?

CVE-2026-72438 has a risk rating of 37, indicating a moderate severity level.

How do I fix CVE-2026-72438?

To fix CVE-2026-72438, update to the latest version of the Linux kernel that addresses this vulnerability.

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72438?

CVE-2026-72438 affects systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel that implement RAID 10 functionalities.

What does CVE-2026-72438 impact?

CVE-2026-72438 impacts disk management within the Linux kernel, specifically related to RAID 10 discard operations.

Is there a workaround for CVE-2026-72438 until I can apply a fix?

There are no specific workarounds documented for CVE-2026-72438; updating the kernel is recommended as the best course of action.

CVE-2026-72438: md/raid10: fix writes_pending and barrier reference leaks on discard failures

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Peer vulnerabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-72438?

How do I fix CVE-2026-72438?

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72438?

What does CVE-2026-72438 impact?

Is there a workaround for CVE-2026-72438 until I can apply a fix?

Company

Resources

Contact