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

KVM: arm64: nv: Inject SEA if guest VNCR isn't normal memory

When constructing an L1 VNCR mapping, KVM unconditionally uses cacheable
memory attributes, even if the underlying PFN isn't memory. This gets
particularly hairy if the endpoint doesn't support cacheable memory
attributes, potentially throwing an SError on writeback...

While KVM does permit cacheable memory attributes on certain PFNMAP
VMAs, kvm_translate_vncr() isn't currently grabbing the VMA. So do the
simpler thing for now and just reject everything that isn't memory.
Published: 2026-08-15
Score: 9.3 Critical
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

KVM on ARM64 applies cacheable memory attributes unconditionally when creating virtual namespace context registers, even if the page frame number does not point to normal memory. This mismatch can trigger a hardware SError during writeback, causing the kernel to panic or reboot. The flaw represents a memory‑attribute abuse that leads to a system‑wide denial of Service.

Affected Systems

All Linux kernel installations that contain the KVM virtualization subsystem on ARM64 are potentially affected. The description does not list specific kernel versions, so any revision that has not applied the defensive rejection of non‑memory PFNs is at risk. Information on exact affected releases is unavailable in the supplied data.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 9.3 denotes a critical vulnerability. The EPSS score is below 1%, suggesting a low current exploitation probability, but the flaw requires hypervisor‑level control to create a VNCR mapping. An attacker who can manipulate the guest KVM may trigger the fault, causing the host to crash. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog, indicating no confirmed exploitation, yet the severity of the crash and absence of mitigations suggest a high risk if not patched.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 18, 2026 at 02:41 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update the Linux kernel to a release that contains the patch for CVE‑2026‑72277.
  • If an immediate kernel update is not feasible, disable KVM on the affected ARM64 host to prevent exploitation of the fault.
  • Unconditionally reject or restrict VNCR mappings to VMA regions that reference normal memory only so that cacheable attributes are not applied to non‑memory PFNs.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 18, 2026 at 02:41 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-843
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate


Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-787

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-119

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Sat, 15 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-119

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: arm64: nv: Inject SEA if guest VNCR isn't normal memory When constructing an L1 VNCR mapping, KVM unconditionally uses cacheable memory attributes, even if the underlying PFN isn't memory. This gets particularly hairy if the endpoint doesn't support cacheable memory attributes, potentially throwing an SError on writeback... While KVM does permit cacheable memory attributes on certain PFNMAP VMAs, kvm_translate_vncr() isn't currently grabbing the VMA. So do the simpler thing for now and just reject everything that isn't memory.
Title KVM: arm64: nv: Inject SEA if guest VNCR isn't normal memory
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-17T05:42:12.724Z

Reserved: 2026-08-09T03:40:39.916Z

Link: CVE-2026-72277

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-15T06:21:57.750

Modified: 2026-08-17T06:18:30.240

Link: CVE-2026-72277

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-08-15T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-72277 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-18T02:45:03Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-787

    Out-of-bounds Write

  • CWE-843

    Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')