CVE-2026-72174 — fs/proc/task_mmu: fix hugetlb self-deadlock in pagemap_scan_pte_hole()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs/proc/task_mmu: fix hugetlb self-deadlock in pagemap_scan_pte_hole() A PAGEMAP_SCAN ioctl requesting PM_SCAN_WP_MATCHING on a hugetlb VMA hangs the calling thread, unkillably, as soon as the scan reaches an unpopulated part of the range: do_pagemap_scan() walk_page_range() walk_hugetlb_range() hugetlb_vma_lock_read() # take the vma lock for read ... pagemap_scan_pte_hole() # ... ->pte_hole() for a hole uffd_wp_range() change_protection() hugetlb_change_protection() hugetlb_vma_lock_write() # ... and block taking it for write walk_hugetlb_range() holds the hugetlb vma lock for read across the whole walk. A present entry goes to ->hugetlb_entry(); an unpopulated one goes to ->pte_hole(), i.e. pagemap_scan_pte_hole(). To write-protect the hole that handler calls uffd_wp_range(), which on a hugetlb VMA reaches hugetlb_change_protection() and takes the same vma lock for write. The thread then blocks in down_write() waiting for the read lock it is itself holding. The populated path avoids this: pagemap_scan_hugetlb_entry() write-protects the entry inline under the page-table lock and never enters hugetlb_change_protection(). Do the same for holes. Fault in the page table and install the uffd-wp marker directly with make_uffd_wp_huge_pte() under the page-table lock, rather than routing through uffd_wp_range(). That is the same sequence hugetlb_change_protection() runs for an unpopulated entry, minus the vma write lock -- which is safe to skip because PMD sharing is disabled on uffd-wp VMAs (hugetlb_unshare_all_pmds() runs at registration), leaving nothing for that lock to serialise against.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 0.2% (30-day exploitation probability)+2
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
No fix documented by the sources we poll. That does not mean none exists: check the vendor advisory.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Linux Linux).
- No fix documented in the sources: reduce exposure and monitor the vendor advisory.
- Search available logs for exploit probes, errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | ≥ 52526ca7fdb905a768a93f8faa418e9b988fc34b and < a6ac03652d9edc30c2912037ac83beb42cc67f8e≥ 52526ca7fdb905a768a93f8faa418e9b988fc34b and < 43b987ed35be9be21a303d1036d4241fec9943df≥ 52526ca7fdb905a768a93f8faa418e9b988fc34b and < 18b8a9700610299819d21fd0ea85d24726d17f65≥ 52526ca7fdb905a768a93f8faa418e9b988fc34b and < e92d92bbafb264dc0518d52b846a3c07ed8d523fversion 6.7 | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 15, 2026 → Oct 30, 2026 · 15 reading(s) · max 0.21%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Not enough vector or weakness data: use the affected application’s logs as a starting point.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Record published
- Affected products added · linux/linux
- Source status changed · → Received
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026
References
4 on the record
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Unknown CVE-2026-99216 Drivers: hv: Don't reset VMBus connection state on error/exit paths 2d
- Unknown CVE-2026-99215 power: supply: core: prevent unregistering a power supply while a callback runs 2d
- Unknown CVE-2026-99207 scsi: target: Disable interrupts while holding delayed_cmd_lock 2d
- Unknown CVE-2026-99208 drm/xe/oa: Zero OA buffer at allocation 2d
- Unknown CVE-2026-99209 drm/xe: skip eviction of a BO with no resource 2d
- Unknown CVE-2026-99210 accel/rocket: clear rdev on device init failure 2d
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No CVSS score published by NVD, the CNA, CISA or GitHub so far.
- No fixed version, patch or mitigation documented.
- No CISA SSVC assessment.
- No CWE classification.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-72174 is "fs/proc/task_mmu: fix hugetlb self-deadlock in pagemap_scan_pte_hole()", rated Unknown. It affects Linux (Linux); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. EPSS 0.21% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
Comments
Moderated technical discussion. Read the community guidelines.
No comments yet.
Sign in or create an account to comment and suggest corrections.