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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23390: tracing/dma: Cap dma_map_sg tracepoint arrays to prevent buffer overflow

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing/dma: Cap dma_map_sg tracepoint arrays to prevent buffer overflow The dma_map_sg tracepoint can trigger a perf buffer overflow when tracing large scatter-gather lists. With devices like virtio-gpu creating large DRM buffers, nents can exceed 1000 entries, resulting in: phys_addrs: 1000 * 8 bytes = 8,000 bytes dma_addrs: 1000 * 8 bytes = 8,000 bytes lengths: 1000 * 4 bytes = 4,000 bytes Total: ~20,000 bytes This exceeds PERF_MAX_TRACE_SIZE (8192 bytes), causing: WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 5497 at kernel/trace/trace_event_perf.c:405 perf buffer not large enough, wanted 24620, have 8192 Cap all three dynamic arrays at 128 entries using min() in the array size calculation. This ensures arrays are only as large as needed (up to the cap), avoiding unnecessary memory allocation for small operations while preventing overflow for large ones. The tracepoint now records the full nents/ents counts and a truncated flag so users can see when data has been capped. Changes in v2: - Use min(nents, DMA_TRACE_MAX_ENTRIES) for dynamic array sizing instead of fixed DMA_TRACE_MAX_ENTRIES allocation (feedback from Steven Rostedt) - This allocates only what's needed up to the cap, avoiding waste for small operations Reviwed-by: Sean Anderson <sean.anderson@linux.dev>

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can make DMA tracing generate more event data than the perf trace buffer can hold. Large scatter-gather lists, such as those created by virtio-gpu DRM buffers, can trigger oversized tracepoint records. The source describes a kernel warning and a cap-based fix, but does not provide CVSS, business impact, or active exploitation evidence.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel maintenance item, not an emergency based on current evidence. Patch during normal kernel update cycles, with earlier attention for virtualization, graphics, or observability systems that enable DMA tracing.

Technical view

The dma_map_sg tracepoint sized three dynamic arrays from nents, allowing large scatter-gather lists to exceed PERF_MAX_TRACE_SIZE of 8192 bytes. The fix caps phys_addrs, dma_addrs, and lengths arrays at 128 entries using min(), while preserving full nents/ents counts and adding a truncated flag.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to Linux systems in the affected kernel ranges or commits where dma_map_sg tracing is active and workloads create large scatter-gather lists. Virtualized graphics or DRM workloads using virtio-gpu are specifically mentioned. The source bundle does not identify distributions, cloud images, or default exploitability.

Exploitation context

No KEV listing is reported, and the provided sources do not claim active exploitation or public weaponization. The described trigger requires large scatter-gather lists reaching the tracepoint path. The source evidence supports an oversized perf trace event and warning, not a complete attacker impact chain.

Researcher notes

Key uncertainty is impact. The source shows trace event oversizing and kernel warnings, but does not provide CVSS, CWE, exploitability, or privilege requirements. Researchers should validate affected kernel lineage and patch presence rather than extrapolating from the buffer-overflow wording alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Check vendor kernel advisories for backported fixes covering this CVE.
  • Update to a Linux kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize hosts using virtio-gpu, DRM, or heavy DMA tracing workloads.
  • Avoid enabling affected tracepoints on unpatched systems where operationally feasible.
  • Track distribution-specific package names and reboot requirements.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions against the affected ranges in the CVE record.
  • Confirm whether the stable kernel commits are present in deployed kernels.
  • Review monitoring for perf trace buffer warnings related to dma_map_sg.
  • Identify systems running virtio-gpu or large DRM buffer workloads.
  • Verify vendor advisory status before marking distribution kernels remediated.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux038eb433dc1474c4bc7d33188294e3d4778efdfd, 038eb433dc1474c4bc7d33188294e3d4778efdfd, 038eb433dc1474c4bc7d33188294e3d4778efdfdunaffected
LinuxLinux6.12, 0, 6.12.74, 6.18.13, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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