In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
iommu/vt-d: Clear Present bit before tearing down context entry
When tearing down a context entry, the current implementation zeros the entire 128-bit entry using multiple 64-bit writes. This creates a window where the hardware can fetch a "torn" entry — where some fields are already zeroed while the 'Present' bit is still set — leading to unpredictable behavior or spurious faults.
While x86 provides strong write ordering, the compiler may reorder writes to the two 64-bit halves of the context entry. Even without compiler reordering, the hardware fetch is not guaranteed to be atomic with respect to multiple CPU writes.
Align with the "Guidance to Software for Invalidations" in the VT-d spec (Section 6.5.3.3) by implementing the recommended ownership handshake:
1. Clear only the 'Present' (P) bit of the context entry first to signal the transition of ownership from hardware to software. 2. Use dma_wmb() to ensure the cleared bit is visible to the IOMMU. 3. Perform the required cache and context-cache invalidation to ensure hardware no longer has cached references to the entry. 4. Fully zero out the entry only after the invalidation is complete.
Also, add a dma_wmb() to context_set_present() to ensure the entry is fully initialized before the 'Present' bit becomes visible.
CVSS Details
- CVSS 3.1 Base Score: 7.5
- CVSS 3.1 Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)
Covered by Rapid7
| Product | Vendor Advisory | Solution File | Added | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon_linux_2023 | — | Upgrade python3-perf6.12Upgrade kernel6.12-debuginfo-common-x86_64Upgrade kernel6.12-modules-extraUpgrade perf6.12Upgrade bpftool6.12Upgrade kernel6.12-debuginfo-common-aarch64Upgrade kernel6.12Upgrade kernel6.12-debuginfoUpgrade kernel6.12-tools-develUpgrade kernel-livepatch-6.12.100-125.179Upgrade kernel6.12-modules-extra-commonUpgrade kernel6.12-toolsUpgrade bpftool6.12-debuginfoUpgrade perf6.12-debuginfoUpgrade python3-perf6.12-debuginfoUpgrade kernel6.12-headersUpgrade kernel6.12-develUpgrade kernel6.12-tools-debuginfo | Aug 18, 2026 | May 27, 2026 |
| Debian | — | Upgrade linux-6.12Upgrade linux | Aug 2, 2026 | Aug 2, 2026 |
| Redhat_linux | — | No solution exists | Jul 17, 2026 | May 27, 2026 |
| Ubuntu | — | Upgrade linux-image-6.8.0-1035-nvidia-tegraNo solution existsUpgrade linux-image-nvidia-tegraUpgrade linux-image-6.8.0-1035-nvidia-tegra-rtUpgrade linux-image-nvidia-tegra-6.8Upgrade linux-image-nvidia-tegra-rtUpgrade linux-image-nvidia-tegra-rt-6.8 | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Vmware Photon_os | — | Use 'tdnf update' to upgrade all packages to the latest version. | Aug 14, 2026 | May 27, 2026 |
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