Upstream information

CVE-2026-97533 at MITRE

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

x86/mm/pat: Acquire init_mm read lock on attribute changes to avoid UAF

A previous commit protected against races between ptdump and CPA collapse,
however one still exists between attribute changes and collapse as reported
by Denis V. Lunev (linked).

When an attribute change arises, a lockless page table walker obtains a PTE
entry, which is later written to via set_pte_atomic():

...
-> change_page_attr_set_clr()
-> __change_page_attr_set_clr()
-> __change_page_attr()
-> _lookup_address_cpa()
-> lookup_address_in_pgd_attr()
-> [ lockless page table walker ]
-> set_pte_atomic()

There is nothing preventing a concurrent CPA collapse which can free the
PTE that was retrieved here, resulting in a use-after-free.

With the mmap write lock taken on init_mm over CPA collapse, resolve this
race by acquiring an mmap read lock on init_mm over
__change_page_attr_set_clr().

This locks across the whole operation over which the walk and the PTE
entry write occurs, solving the race.

It is safe to do this here, as no spinlocks are held upon entry to
__change_page_attr_set_clr().

However, the lock must not be held over an allocation, as allocation can
trigger reclaim and shrinkers may call into CPA recursively, making
deadlocks possible (init_mm -> ... -> fs_reclaim -> init_mm).

A page table is allocated when a huge page needs to be split:

-> change_page_attr_set_clr()
-> __change_page_attr_set_clr()
-> __change_page_attr()
-> split_large_page()
[ pagetable_alloc() ]
-> __split_large_page()

Avoid deadlocks by dropping the mmap lock across pagetable_alloc() in
split_large_page() and track whether this is needed by adding a new
'init_mm_read_locked' flag to struct cpa_data.

This is safe as __split_large_page() (called with locks re-established)
revalidates that the page table entry is the same as it was prior to the
locks being dropped and __change_page_attr() repeats the entire page table
walk whenever a split occurs, so concurrent split and collapse are
accounted for.

Concurrent ptdump is also safe as the lock is only dropped over page table
allocation during which time the page table has not yet been modified.

The CPA_COLLAPSE flag is only set by set_memory_rox(), which exclusively
operates upon vmalloc ranges, and on x86 only within the module mapping
space.

This is important, because some callers directly invoke
__change_page_attr_set_clr(), bypassing this lock. However, none of these
operate within the module mapping space.

* cpa_process_alias() - a recursive helper called by
__change_page_attr_set_clr().
* __set_memory_enc_pgtable() - operates on the direct mapping and (via
__vmbus_establish_gpadl()) the vmalloc mapping space.
* __set_pages_[n]p() - called by set_direct_map_[invalid, default,
valid]_noflush(), __kernel_map_pages() - operates on the direct map.
* kernel_[un]map_pages_in_pgd() - operates on EFI ranges.

This work is based upon Denis V. Lunev's excellent analysis of the bug
with gratitude.

[ dhansen: move to imperative voice in changelog ]

SUSE information

Overall state of this security issue: Pending

This issue is currently rated as having important severity.

CVSS v3 Scores
CVSS detail SUSE
Base Score 7
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector Local
Attack Complexity High
Privileges Required Low
User Interaction None
Scope Unchanged
Confidentiality Impact High
Integrity Impact High
Availability Impact High
CVSSv3 Version 3.1
CVSS v4 Scores
CVSS detail SUSE
Base Score 7.3
Vector CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Attack Vector Local
Attack Complexity Low
Attack Requirements Present
Privileges Required Low
User Interaction None
Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact High
Vulnerable System Integrity Impact High
Vulnerable System Availability Impact High
Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None
Subsequent System Integrity Impact None
Subsequent System Availability Impact None
CVSSv4 Version 4.0

Note from the SUSE Security Team on the kernel-default package

SUSE will no longer fix all CVEs in the Linux Kernel anymore, but declare some bug classes as won't fix. Please refer to TID 21496 for more details.

SUSE Bugzilla entries: 1283454 [NEW], 1283455 [NEW]

No SUSE Security Announcements cross referenced.


Status of this issue by product and package

Please note that this evaluation state might be work in progress, incomplete or outdated. Also information for service packs in the LTSS phase is only included for issues meeting the LTSS criteria. If in doubt, feel free to contact us for clarification. The updates are grouped by state of their lifecycle. SUSE product lifecycles are documented on the lifecycle page.

Product(s) Source package State
Products under general support and receiving all security fixes.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 15 SP7 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 15 SP7 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 16.0 kernel-default Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 16.0 kernel-source Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 16.1 kernel-default Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 16.1 kernel-source Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.3 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.3 kernel-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.3 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.4 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.4 kernel-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.4 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.5 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.5 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP7 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP7 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP7 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP7 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP7 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP7 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP7 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 kernel-default Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 kernel-source Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.1 kernel-default Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.1 kernel-source Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP7 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP7 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.0 kernel-default Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.0 kernel-source Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.1 kernel-default Affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.1 kernel-source Affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.0 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.0 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.0 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.1 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.1 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.2 kernel-default Affected
SUSE Linux Micro 6.2 kernel-source Affected
SUSE Linux Micro Extras 6.0 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro Extras 6.0 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro Extras 6.0 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro Extras 6.1 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Micro Extras 6.1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP7 kernel-source-rt Not affected
openSUSE Leap 16.0 kernel-source Affected
Products under Long Term Service Pack support and receiving important and critical security fixes.
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 12 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP6 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP6 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 LTSS EXTREME CORE kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 LTSS EXTREME CORE kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server LTSS Extended Security 12 SP5 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server LTSS Extended Security 12 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP4 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP5 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP6 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP6 kernel-source Not affected
Products past their end of life and not receiving proactive updates anymore.
SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Enterprise Storage 6 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Enterprise Storage 7 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP6 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1-ESPOS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-ESPOS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-ESPOS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-ESPOS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5-ESPOS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.0 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.1 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.2 kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP4 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP5 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-BCL kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2-BCL kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3-BCL kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3-LTSS kernel-default Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3-LTSS kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Proxy 4.0 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Proxy 4.1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Proxy 4.2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Proxy LTS 4.3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.0 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server LTS 4.3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Server 4.0 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Server 4.1 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Server 4.2 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Server 4.3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Manager Server LTS 4.3 kernel-source Not affected
SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP4 kernel-source-rt Not affected
SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP5 kernel-source-rt Not affected
openSUSE Leap 15.3 kernel-source Not affected
openSUSE Leap 15.4 kernel-source Not affected
openSUSE Leap 15.4 kernel-source-rt Not affected
openSUSE Leap 15.5 kernel-source Not affected
openSUSE Leap 15.5 kernel-source-rt Not affected
openSUSE Leap 15.6 kernel-source Not affected
Products at an unknown state of their lifecycle.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for NVIDIA 16.1 kernel-source Affected


SUSE Timeline for this CVE

CVE page created: Wed Sep 30 15:51:04 2026
CVE page last modified: Thu Oct 1 18:51:07 2026