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CVE Record

CVE-2026-46036: vfio/cdx: Serialize VFIO_DEVICE_SET_IRQS with a per-device mutex

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vfio/cdx: Serialize VFIO_DEVICE_SET_IRQS with a per-device mutex vfio_cdx_set_msi_trigger() reads vdev->config_msi and operates on the vdev->cdx_irqs array based on its value, but provides no serialization against concurrent VFIO_DEVICE_SET_IRQS ioctls. Two callers can race such that one observes config_msi as set while another clears it and frees cdx_irqs via vfio_cdx_msi_disable(), resulting in a use-after-free of the cdx_irqs array. Add a cdx_irqs_lock mutex to struct vfio_cdx_device and acquire it in vfio_cdx_set_msi_trigger(), which is the single chokepoint through which all updates to config_msi, cdx_irqs, and msi_count flow, covering both the ioctl path and the close-device cleanup path. This keeps the test of config_msi atomic with the subsequent enable, disable, or trigger operations. Drop the pre-call !cdx_irqs test from vfio_cdx_irqs_cleanup() as part of this change: the optimization it provided is redundant with the !config_msi early-return inside vfio_cdx_msi_disable(), and leaving the test in place would be an unsynchronized read of state the new lock is meant to protect.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A race condition in the Linux VFIO CDX driver can cause the kernel to use freed memory when two interrupt-configuration requests occur concurrently. A locally authenticated, low-privilege user could potentially compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability on systems exposing the affected device interface.

Executive priority

Prioritize affected multi-user, virtualization, or device-assignment systems where less-trusted local users can reach VFIO CDX devices. Treat other systems as verification-driven rather than universally exposed. Remediate promptly because successful triggering could affect all three security objectives at kernel level.

Technical view

Concurrent VFIO_DEVICE_SET_IRQS calls can race while reading config_msi and modifying or freeing the cdx_irqs array, producing a use-after-free. The kernel fix adds a per-device mutex covering MSI state changes, interrupt-array operations, and device-close cleanup. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8 with local access and low privileges required.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to Linux systems using the VFIO CDX driver and permitting a low-privilege local user to access the relevant VFIO device. The supplied affected-version data is ambiguous and should not be treated as a complete distribution-specific range.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes local, low-complexity exploitation requiring low privileges and no user interaction. The source bundle reports no CISA KEV listing and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. Practical reachability depends on VFIO CDX configuration and device permissions.

Researcher notes

The vulnerable state transition occurs because config_msi can remain observed as enabled while another caller disables MSI and frees cdx_irqs. The fix serializes the ioctl and close cleanup paths. No CWE was supplied. Listed version values include ambiguous entries, so commit or vendor-package mapping is necessary.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a distribution kernel containing the applicable linked stable-kernel fix or confirmed backport.
  • Consult the Linux distribution or appliance vendor for precise affected and fixed package versions.
  • Restrict access to relevant VFIO devices until remediation is confirmed.
  • Disable unused VFIO CDX functionality where operationally safe and vendor-supported.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions and map them to vendor advisories or backport records.
  • Determine whether the VFIO CDX driver is present and operationally used.
  • Review permissions controlling local access to relevant VFIO device interfaces.
  • Confirm the installed kernel includes the per-device cdx_irqs_lock fix.
  • Recheck exposure after rebooting into the remediated kernel.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-46036 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-46036Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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
LinuxLinux848e447e000c41894ff931dc7c004fd42c8840f8, 848e447e000c41894ff931dc7c004fd42c8840f8, 848e447e000c41894ff931dc7c004fd42c8840f8, 848e447e000c41894ff931dc7c004fd42c8840f8unaffected
LinuxLinux6.10, 0, 6.12.86, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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