vfio/pci: clear vdev->msi_perm after freeing it on init failure
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 17 fixed, 3 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vfio/pci: clear vdev->msi_perm after freeing it on init failure vfio_msi_cap_len() lazily allocates the per-device MSI permission table: vdev->msi_perm = kmalloc_obj(struct perm_bits, GFP_KERNEL_ACCOUNT); if (!vdev->msi_perm) return -ENOMEM; ret = init_pci_cap_msi_perm(vdev->msi_perm, len, flags); if (ret) { kfree(vdev->msi_perm); return ret; /* vdev->msi_perm left dangling */ } When init_pci_cap_msi_perm() -> alloc_perm_bits() fails with -ENOMEM, the error path frees vdev->msi_perm but leaves the freed pointer stored in it. vdev->msi_perm is not re-zeroed later because struct vfio_pci_core_device is per-device and persists across open/close cycles, and the vfio_config_init() error path returns without calling vfio_config_free(). So the dangling pointer outlives the failed open. That leads to two use-after-frees on the same device: 1. Reuse. The next vfio_config_init() sees the stale pointer at "if (vdev->msi_perm) return len;" and reuses the freed object. MSI config accesses in vfio_pci_config_rw_single() then dereference and call the freed perm->readfn / perm->writefn function pointers. 2. Double free. A later vfio_config_free() runs free_perm_bits() and kfree() on the already-freed object. Fix it by NULLing vdev->msi_perm after the kfree(), matching the NULL-after-free discipline already used in free_perm_bits() and vfio_config_free(). BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in vfio_pci_config_rw_single (drivers/vfio/pci/vfio_pci_config.c:1961) Read of size 8 at addr ffff88800fcc88d0 by task exploit/143 Call Trace: ... kasan_report (mm/kasan/report.c:595) vfio_pci_config_rw_single (drivers/vfio/pci/vfio_pci_config.c:1961) vfio_pci_config_rw (drivers/vfio/pci/vfio_pci_config.c:1986) vfio_pci_rw (drivers/vfio/pci/vfio_pci_core.c:1599) vfs_read (fs/read_write.c:572) __x64_sys_pread64 (fs/read_write.c:764) do_syscall_64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94) ... Followed on device close by a double free of the same object: Oops: general protection fault, probably for non-canonical address 0x1f63e0e8000008: 0000 [#1] SMP KASAN NOPTI RIP: 0010:kfree (mm/slub.c:6711) Call Trace: vfio_config_free (drivers/vfio/pci/vfio_pci_config.c:1861) vfio_pci_core_disable (drivers/vfio/pci/vfio_pci_core.c:685) vfio_pci_core_close_device (drivers/vfio/pci/vfio_pci_core.c:777) vfio_df_close (drivers/vfio/vfio_main.c:602) vfio_device_fops_release (drivers/vfio/vfio_main.c:648) __fput (fs/file_table.c:512) __x64_sys_close (fs/open.c:1496) do_syscall_64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94) ... Kernel panic - not syncing: Fatal exception
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 4.4.203 to before 4.5; 4.9.203 to before 4.10; 4.14.155 to before 4.15; 4.19.85 to before 4.20 | 4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.20 | Patch available | CNA |
| Linux | Linux | 4.20 and later | 5.10.270, 5.15.221, 6.1.188, 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.52, 7.2.6, 7.3 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 4.4.203 to before 4.5; 4.9.203 to before 4.10; 4.14.155 to before 4.15; 4.19.85 to before 4.20 Fixed in 4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.20 Patch available CNA
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 4.20 and later Fixed in 5.10.270, 5.15.221, 6.1.188, 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.52, 7.2.6, 7.3 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.20
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.10.270, 5.15.221, 6.1.188, 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.52, 7.2.6, 7.3
Red Hat 5 advisories
- RHSA-2026:95346 Released 2026-11-06 · Red Hat rating CriticalOpenShift Container Platform 4.22.22 bug fix and security update
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.22 rhcos-aarch64-4.22.9.8.202611032353-0, rhcos-ppc64le-4.22.9.8.202611032353-0, rhcos-s390x-4.22.9.8.202611032353-0 +1
- RHSA-2026:91565 Released 2026-10-28 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- 10Base-SMTV kernel-modules-internal-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) kernel-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, libperf-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Hidden (v. 10) kernel-modules-internal-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-211.69.1.el10_2 +9
- RHSA-2026:90365 Released 2026-10-26 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) kernel-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, libperf-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-687.61.1.el9_8 +9
Show 2 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:87375 Released 2026-10-21 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) bpftool-4.18.0-553.177.1.el8_10, kernel-4.18.0-553.177.1.el8_10, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-553.177.1.el8_10 +19
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.18.0-553.177.1.el8_10
- RHSA-2026:87374 Released 2026-10-21 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-553.177.1.rt7.518.el8_10, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-553.177.1.rt7.518.el8_10, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-553.177.1.rt7.518.el8_10 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-553.177.1.rt7.518.el8_10, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-553.177.1.rt7.518.el8_10, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-553.177.1.rt7.518.el8_10 +7
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | Affected | No fix yet |
| 10Base-SMTV | Fixed | RHSA-2026:91565 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:91565 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:90365 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:91565 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:87375 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:90365 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:87375 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:91565 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:90365 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Hidden (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:91565 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:87374 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:87374 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:91565 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:90365 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:91565 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:90365 |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.22 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:95346 |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-89777
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-552v-qphj-5fjg
- 2026-10-07 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-10-07 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-10-19 Fix available: Linux/[email protected] · CNA
- 2026-10-22 Fix available: RHSA-2026:87374 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-22 Fix available: RHSA-2026:87375 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-23 Fix available: Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8), Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8), Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) +1 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-27 Fix available: Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9), Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9), Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) +2 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-29 Fix available: 10Base-SMTV, Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10), Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) +4 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-29 Fix available: RHSA-2026:90365 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-29 Fix available: RHSA-2026:91565 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-30 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-01 CVSS score changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-07 Fix available: RHSA-2026:95346 · Red Hat
- 2026-11-07 Fix available: Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.22 · Red Hat
References
Other 8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb84cd81040e58dd05ac190f561f2115e3367249
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f0eea8f9013676b42289ec35941e848b8a543e19
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d665a1688af7f8fefd7c0eb04f2a37122ce007f4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/25cdd2a492d868cff1e519a60fe282909c52d385
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/812f1db7f0755a19ef16ecdc5cec51bcabc5eda5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/533d0c5feef85ee6404b9f41d5564fac6971a008
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fda8fb7e8179561693a786a7af593f6b944a21c1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dc77acfeb979dded39b247b60fef0399536bfa77
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Sources
- CVE-2026-89777 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-89777 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-552v-qphj-5fjg · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-89777 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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