CVE-2026-72440: md/raid1: fix writes_pending and barrier reference leaks on write failures

Published Aug 15, 2026
·
Updated

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

md/raid1: fix writespending and barrier reference leaks on write failures

raid1makerequest() acquires a writespending reference with mdwritestart() before calling raid1writerequest(). Several failure paths in raid1writerequest() complete the bio and return without reaching the normal write completion path, causing the corresponding mdwriteend() to be skipped.

Make raid1writerequest() return a status indicating whether the write request was successfully queued. This allows raid1makerequest() to call mdwriteend() when raid1writerequest() fails.

Additionally, if waitblockedrdev() fails after waitbarrier() succeeds, the associated barrier reference is not released.

Call allowbarrier() before returning from that path to keep the barrier accounting balanced.

Affected Software

172 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
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-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*
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-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*
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-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-raspi2*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8*
ubuntu/linux*
ubuntu/linux-aws*
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*
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*
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*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop*
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*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-7.0*
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*
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*
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*
ubuntu/linux-xilinx*
ubuntu/linux-bluefield*
ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*
ubuntu/linux-fips*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*
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*
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
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<6.12.114
6.12.114
linux/kernel>=6.13.0<6.18.57
6.18.57
linux/kernel>=6.19.0<7.1.5
7.1.5
debian/linux*
debian/linux<6.12.115-2
6.12.115-2
debian/linux<7.1.5-1
7.1.5-1
debian/linux<=6.1.176-1, <=6.1.190-1, <=6.12.107-1
6.12.115-27.2.12-17.2.15-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1
  3. 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
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38~24.04.4
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1036.39
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1
  8. 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
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1016.16
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1008.9
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1015.15
  16. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1015.15
  17. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13
  18. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38.1
  19. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38.1
  20. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.1.5-1
  21. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.14-1
  22. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.191
  23. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.6.160
  24. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.12.114
  25. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.18.57
  26. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.1.5

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·09:44 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-72440?

CVE-2026-72440 has a risk score of 27, indicating a serious vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-72440?

To fix CVE-2026-72440, you should apply the latest updates and patches provided by your Linux distribution.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72440?

CVE-2026-72440 affects systems using the Linux kernel with RAID1 configured.

4

What are the exploitation consequences of CVE-2026-72440?

Exploiting CVE-2026-72440 could lead to resource leaks which may degrade system performance.

5

When was CVE-2026-72440 published?

CVE-2026-72440 was published on August 15, 2026.

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