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CVE Record

CVE-2026-46081: crypto: acomp - fix wrong pointer stored by acomp_save_req()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: acomp - fix wrong pointer stored by acomp_save_req() acomp_save_req() stores &req->chain in req->base.data. When acomp_reqchain_done() is invoked on asynchronous completion, it receives &req->chain as the data argument but casts it directly to struct acomp_req. Since data points to the chain member, all subsequent field accesses are at a wrong offset, resulting in memory corruption. The issue occurs when an asynchronous hardware implementation, such as the QAT driver, completes a request that uses the DMA virtual address interface (e.g. acomp_request_set_src_dma()). This combination causes crypto_acomp_compress() to enter the acomp_do_req_chain() path, which sets acomp_reqchain_done() as the completion callback via acomp_save_req(). With KASAN enabled, this manifests as a general protection fault in acomp_reqchain_done(): general protection fault, probably for non-canonical address 0xe000040000000000 KASAN: probably user-memory-access in range [0x0000400000000000-0x0000400000000007] RIP: 0010:acomp_reqchain_done+0x15b/0x4e0 Call Trace: <IRQ> qat_comp_alg_callback+0x5d/0xa0 [intel_qat] adf_ring_response_handler+0x376/0x8b0 [intel_qat] adf_response_handler+0x60/0x170 [intel_qat] tasklet_action_common+0x223/0x820 handle_softirqs+0x1ab/0x640 </IRQ> Fix this by storing the request itself in req->base.data instead of &req->chain, so that acomp_reqchain_done() receives the correct pointer. Simplify acomp_restore_req() accordingly to access req->chain directly.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux kernel pointer-handling error can corrupt memory during certain asynchronous hardware compression operations. On exposed systems, successful abuse could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability, while accidental triggering may cause kernel crashes. The vulnerable path requires a specific combination of asynchronous compression hardware and the DMA virtual-address interface.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority kernel update for systems using Intel QAT or similar asynchronous compression. Expedite exposure checks across Linux fleets and patch confirmed systems. Kernel crashes or corruption indicators on relevant hosts should trigger immediate technical investigation; the supplied sources do not establish active exploitation.

Technical view

acomp_save_req() stored the address of req->chain in req->base.data, but acomp_reqchain_done() treated that address as the enclosing acomp_req object. Subsequent accesses used incorrect offsets and corrupted memory. The path is triggered when asynchronous implementations such as Intel QAT complete compression requests using the DMA virtual-address interface. The fix stores the request pointer itself.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on affected Linux kernels using Intel QAT or comparable asynchronous hardware compression with the DMA virtual-address interface. The supplied version entries are ambiguous and include 6.16, 0, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, and 7.1; determine applicability through distribution advisories and backport status.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation evidence is provided, and the bundle marks KEV as false. CVSS classifies the issue as local, low-complexity, requiring low privileges and no user interaction. Practical abuse likely requires access to the specific asynchronous compression and DMA request path. Public exploit availability is not established by these sources.

Researcher notes

The reported KASAN general-protection fault demonstrates an invalid-offset memory access, not exploitation. The correction changes req->base.data from &req->chain to req and simplifies restoration to access req->chain directly. Exact vulnerable release boundaries and downstream backport coverage remain unclear from the supplied affected-version data.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor kernel update containing the applicable cited stable fix.
  • Confirm distribution backports rather than relying only on the displayed kernel version.
  • If no update is available, obtain vendor-specific mitigation guidance.
  • Prioritize systems using Intel QAT or other asynchronous hardware compression.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel builds and compare them with vendor advisories and backported fixes.
  • Verify the installed kernel contains an applicable cited commit or equivalent patch.
  • Identify active asynchronous compression drivers, including Intel QAT, and DMA-interface usage.
  • Review kernel logs for acomp_reqchain_done faults, KASAN reports, or unexplained crashes.
  • Regression-test hardware compression workloads after updating.
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

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-46081 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
4Source 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-2026-46081Attack 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
LinuxLinux64929fe8c0a43508eee952cf57903a61c52601e7, 64929fe8c0a43508eee952cf57903a61c52601e7, 64929fe8c0a43508eee952cf57903a61c52601e7unaffected
LinuxLinux6.16, 0, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.