The Linux kernel’s arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode path calls local_irq_disable() even when interrupts are already disabled. This unnecessary call does not allow an attacker to execute code or elevate privileges, but it generates warning messages when CONFIG_ARM64_DEBUG_PRIORITY_MASKING is enabled and can confuse developers tracking nMI debug state. The flaw is a logic error confined to ARM64 kernel context handling rather than an exploitable vulnerability.

ARM64 Linux kernels built from the 7.2.0 series onward contain the bug until the patch that splits arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode into separate preempt, non‑preempt, and dispatch sections is applied. Distribution kernels that base their builds on the 7.2.0 series or later, as well as custom builds compiling the affected exit routines, are affected.

Because the vulnerability triggers only when a specific debug configuration is enabled and requires local access with kernel debugging privileges, it poses a very low exploitation probability. The EPSS score is not available and the issue is not listed in CISA KEV. No remote attack surface or privilege escalation path exists; the risk is diagnostic confusion.