CVE-2025-71089
Description
A security vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's IOMMU Shared Virtual Addressing (SVA) implementation on x86 architecture. When SVA is enabled, the IOMMU caches kernel page table entries. Since the kernel lacks a mechanism to notify the IOMMU when kernel page table pages are freed and reallocated, the IOMMU can retain stale entries pointing to reused memory. This can lead to use-after-free or write-after-free conditions, potentially enabling arbitrary physical memory DMA access or privilege escalation.
Statement
This is a significant security vulnerability affecting x86 systems with IOMMU SVA support enabled. While SVA contexts are unprivileged and cannot directly access kernel mappings, the IOMMU still walks and caches intermediate kernel page table entries. An attacker could potentially exploit the stale cache entries to gain arbitrary DMA access or escalate privileges. The fix disables SVA on x86 until proper cache invalidation mechanisms are implemented.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | High |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | Low |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Changed |
| Confidentiality | High | High | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | High | High |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Other
Technical Impact: Modify Application Data; Read Application Data; Alter Execution Logic
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