Linux kernel trusted keys overwrite TPM unseal error
Key facts
- Attack vector
- —
- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
- —
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 4 without a fix
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The Linux kernel from 5.13 has a flaw in its trusted keys code, where a failed TPM unseal operation does not return immediately. The return value of a later pcrlock call overwrites the unseal error, so key instantiation can succeed after the unseal has failed.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: keys/trusted_keys: return immediately after TPM unseal failure trusted_tpm_unseal() proceeds to pcrlock() when the TPM unseal operation fails. If pcrlock() succeeds, its return value overwrites the unseal error, causing key instantiation to succeed. Return immediately when unseal fails to preserve the original error.
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 | 5.13 and later | 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1, 7.4-rc1 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 5.13 and later Fixed in 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1, 7.4-rc1 Patch available CNA
Remediation
Update the Linux kernel to 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1 or 7.4-rc1. Red Hat lists Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 as affected, with no fix available.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1, 7.4-rc1
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Not affected: 4 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Timeline
- 2026-11-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-99221
- 2026-11-02 Alias added: GHSA-5mq3-jmpv-w7p5
- 2026-11-03 Fix available: Linux/[email protected], Linux/Linux@f92d0ccb05bf9089072cb067dda0dffd5394c4ef · CNA
- 2026-11-03 1 new reference · CNA
- 2026-11-04 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-04 CVSS score added · Red Hat
References
Other 8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4876f09ce222e140a73aad950882b3605440c935
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d92a0f87c338a08367aff05edd1ade86da4ac8d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/234d09bb3b3d84851d4b3246272addc30f3353eb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e359d8cb8580b9874801dea930086effd4d9c62
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e55d48f21f591a9fe80d26b5fbd1912ea725d9e6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/63b19ec2863b2cb5279b746ecd3d6210b1a93945
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed697a5f667435bbb1cedbe5bd9f300de645047d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f92d0ccb05bf9089072cb067dda0dffd5394c4ef
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Sources
- CVE-2026-99221 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-99221 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-5mq3-jmpv-w7p5 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-99221 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences