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>
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.
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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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Mar 25, 2026, 10:29 UTC (UTC+00:00)
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