CVE-2026-45944: iommu/vt-d: Clear Present bit before tearing down context entry
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 โ where some fields are
already zeroed while the 'Present' bit is still set โ 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.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux Intel VT-d flaw can expose the IOMMU to a partially erased context entry during teardown. This race may cause unpredictable behavior, false faults, or serious confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Exploitation requires local, highly privileged access and difficult timing, so the primary concern is affected high-value systems rather than broad remote compromise.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue for systems actively using Intel VT-d, especially sensitive infrastructure. It does not warrant declaring an internet-wide emergency based on current evidence. Establish exposure promptly, schedule vendor-supported updates, and monitor for new exploitation evidence.
Technical view
Linux cleared a 128-bit VT-d context entry using separate 64-bit writes, allowing hardware to observe a torn entry while its Present bit remained set. The correction clears Present first, enforces DMA write ordering, invalidates cached references, then zeroes the entry. Initialization also gains a write barrier before Present becomes visible.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels using Intel VT-d IOMMU functionality. The supplied CVSS vector indicates local access, high complexity, high privileges, no user interaction, and changed scope. The bundle names several affected and corrected versions, but does not provide sufficiently clear version-range semantics; verify distribution backports directly.
Exploitation context
The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. Successful abuse would require a highly privileged local position and winning a hardware-visible teardown race. Accidental triggering may also produce spurious faults or unpredictable behavior.
Researcher notes
The failure is an ownership and ordering race between CPU writes and IOMMU fetches, not merely an x86 memory-ordering issue. The fix follows the VT-d invalidation handshake. No CWE is supplied. Exact affected ranges remain ambiguous in the bundle, so downstream advisory and backport verification is essential.
Mitigation direction
Apply the appropriate vendor kernel update containing the referenced stable fix.
Check distribution advisories for backports because package versions may not match upstream releases.
Prioritize systems where Intel VT-d IOMMU functionality is enabled and actively used.
If updates are unavailable, obtain vendor-supported mitigation guidance; no workaround is documented in the supplied sources.
Validation and detection
Record kernel and distribution package versions on systems using Intel VT-d.
Confirm the vendor package includes one of the referenced fixes or an equivalent backport.
Verify updated systems boot successfully and retain the intended IOMMU configuration.
Review kernel logs for continuing IOMMU faults after remediation.
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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3Timeline events
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5Source links
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.