# CVE-2026-72179: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  riscv: cacheinfo: Fix node reference leak in pop...

CVE-2026-72179 is fixed in linux on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72179, released August 15, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-72179
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a
- EPSS: 0.0022
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Aug 15, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  riscv: cacheinfo: Fix node reference leak in populate_cache_leaves  Currently, the while loop drops the reference to prev in each iteration. If the loop terminates early due to a break, the final of_node_put(np) correctly drops the reference to the current node.  However, if the loop terminates naturally because np == NULL, calling of_node_put(np) is a no-op. This leaves the last valid node stored in prev without its reference dropped, resulting in a node reference leak.  Fix this by changing the final `of_node_put(np)` to `of_node_put(prev)`.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 6.1.180-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72179](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-72179.md) | Aug 15, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 6.12.100-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72179](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-72179.md) | Aug 15, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.1.5-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72179](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-72179.md) | Aug 15, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-09T01:18:40Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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