Linux Kernel NULL Pointer Dereference Vulnerability in dm Stats Component

A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's dm stats component can lead to a NULL pointer dereference. This issue arises because the component does not properly check the return value of the alloc_percpu function. If alloc_percpu fails, dm_stats_init should return an error, but the current implementation allows a NULL pointer dereference to occur during dm_stats_cleanup, even when dm-stats is not actively in use.

Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability causes a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a crash of the kernel or the affected process.