CVE-2026-46118
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's pseries/papr-hvpipe component. A local user could trigger a null pointer dereference in the papr_hvpipe_dev_create_handle() function. This occurs when src_info is improperly re-used after being nulled, leading to a kernel panic. This vulnerability could result in a Denial of Service (DoS) for the affected system.
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
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