CVE-2026-23401
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) component. A local attacker with privileges on the host system could exploit a vulnerability in how KVM handles shadow page table entries (SPTEs) during memory-mapped I/O (MMIO) operations. By manipulating guest page table entries (gPTEs) from host userspace, an attacker could cause KVM to install an MMIO SPTE without properly removing an existing shadow-present SPTE. This improper handling could lead to a kernel warning, resulting in a denial of service or potentially allowing for privilege escalation or information disclosure.
Statement
This is an Important impact vulnerability. A flaw in the KVM's x86/mmu component in the Linux kernel could allow a privileged guest user to trigger a host denial of service. This issue occurs when host userspace modifies a shadowed gPTE to switch from a memslot to emulated MMIO, leading to a missing SPTE zap. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, 9, and 10, and Red Hat In-Vehicle OS are affected. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 and 7 are not affected.
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 | 8.1 | 5.5 | 8.1 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | Low | High |
| Privileges Required | None | Low | None |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Changed | Unchanged | Changed |
| Confidentiality | High | None | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | None | High |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Memory
The use of previously freed memory may corrupt valid data, if the memory area in question has been allocated and used properly elsewhere.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
If chunk consolidation occurs after the use of previously freed data, the process may crash when invalid data is used as chunk information.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Memory
Read operations on freed memory can sometimes leak sensitive information instead of causing a crash
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
If malicious data is entered before chunk consolidation can take place, it may be possible to take advantage of a write-what-where primitive to execute arbitrary code. If the newly allocated data happens to hold a class, in C++ for example, various function pointers may be scattered within the heap data. If one of these function pointers is overwritten with an address to valid shellcode, execution of arbitrary code can be achieved.
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