PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2025-71072 Linux CVE debrief
AI-assisted PatchSiren debrief based on the supplied source corpus. The CVE record was published on 2026-01-13T16:16:06.633Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Modified. The Linux kernel vulnerability CVE-2025-71072 relates to shmem recovery on rename failures. Maple_tree insertions can fail under serious memory shortage; simple_offset_rename() and simple_offset_rename_exchange() do not recover well from such failures. Shmem_whiteout() expects progress to d_move() after success. The issue is fixed by preinserting the target into the tree for new_dir in shmem_rename2(), ensuring mtree_store() can't fail if the index is already a singleton. This vulnerability could potentially allow for privilege escalation in Linux systems. System administrators should review the official advisory and assess their exposure. Patches are available for various kernel versions. Monitoring system logs for unusual rename operations is also recommended.
- Vendor
- Linux
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- HIGH 8.2
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-01-13
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-30
- Advisory published
- 2026-01-13
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-30
Who should care
Linux system administrators and users, especially those with high-risk systems or sensitive data, should be aware of this vulnerability. They should review the official advisory, assess their exposure, and apply patches or mitigations as necessary. Additionally, they should monitor system logs for unusual rename operations and prioritize patching for high-risk systems. Inventory of Linux systems for exposure, focusing on versions 6.6.1 to 6.12.64 and 6.13 to 6.18.3, is also recommended.
Technical summary
The Linux kernel vulnerability CVE-2025-71072 relates to shmem recovery on rename failures. Maple_tree insertions can fail under serious memory shortage; simple_offset_rename() and simple_offset_rename_exchange() do not recover well from such failures. Shmem_whiteout() expects progress to d_move() after success. The issue is fixed by preinserting the target into the tree for new_dir in shmem_rename2(), ensuring mtree_store() can't fail if the index is already a singleton.
Defensive priority
Linux kernel vulnerability in shmem leading to potential privilege escalation; prioritize patching for high-risk systems.
Recommended defensive actions
- Apply patches from https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4642686699a46718d7f2fb5acd1e9d866a9d9cca
- Apply patches from https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b0fe71fb3965d0db83cdfc2f4fe0b3227d70113
- Apply patches from https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1b4c6a58304fd490124cc2b454d80edc786665c
- Inventory Linux systems for exposure, focusing on versions 6.6.1 to 6.12.64 and 6.13 to 6.18.3
- Monitor for unusual rename operations in system logs
Evidence notes
The Linux kernel vulnerability CVE-2025-71072 relates to shmem recovery on rename failures. Maple_tree insertions can fail under serious memory shortage; simple_offset_rename() and simple_offset_rename_exchange() do not recover well from such failures. Shmem_whiteout() expects progress to d_move() after success. The issue is fixed by preinserting the target into the tree for new_dir in shmem_rename2(), ensuring mtree_store() can't fail if the index is already a singleton.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
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CVE-2025-71072 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-71072
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2025-71072 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-71072
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
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Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4642686699a46718d7f2fb5acd1e9d866a9d9cca
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 - Patch
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b0fe71fb3965d0db83cdfc2f4fe0b3227d70113
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 - Patch
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1b4c6a58304fd490124cc2b454d80edc786665c
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 - Patch
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.