← All CVEs

CVE-2026-72034

HIGH 7.8

Published 2026-08-15 · Last modified 2026-08-17

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fhandle: reject detached mounts in capable_wrt_mount() The recent fhandle RCU fix moved the mount namespace capability check into capable_wrt_mount(), so a non-NULL mnt_namespace survives the ns_capable() dereference. The helper still assumes the later READ_ONCE(mount->mnt_ns) must be non-NULL because may_decode_fh() checked is_mounted() first. That assumption is not stable. A detached mount from open_tree(..., OPEN_TREE_CLONE) can be dissolved on fput while open_by_handle_at() is between those checks, and umount_tree() can clear mount->mnt_ns. If the helper observes NULL, it dereferences mnt_ns->user_ns 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 open_by_handle_at() access.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 7.8), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.2%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 6th percentile

○ In CISA KEV ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

7.8CVSS 3.1 · HIGH

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityHigh

What an attacker needs

  • Access: Requires local access to the host
  • Privileges: Requires a low-privilege account
  • User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept & exploit code

Test against your own equipment

curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-72034/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).

Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-72034/poc.json

Affected

Vendors Linux

Products Linux

Weakness (CWE)

Not classified.

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

All CVSS metrics

  • HIGH 7.8 v3.1 · CNA Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • HIGH 7.8 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS