VulnerabilityPublished 25 Jul 2026Updated 11 Sep 2026

CVE-2026-64472: Linux kernel · vfio/mlx5: Fix racy bitfields and tighten struct layout

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

Not known to be exploited · fixed in 7.0.0-1012.12~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC

Severity

Medium

Rated by Threat Radar · No CVSS score from NVD or the CNA

EPSS: 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 7% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Patch: Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1012.12~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1, 7.0.0-31.31~24.04.1 +7

Exploitation evidence

Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Jul 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

Disclosed: The CVE record is public on cve.org. Its publication is t = 0.
Detectable: A public nuclei template can find exposed instances, for defenders and attackers alike.
Weaponised: Public exploit code exists in Metasploit or Exploit-DB, or CISA SSVC or the CVSS exploit maturity reports a public proof of concept.
Exploited in the wild: CISA KEV lists it, CISA SSVC rates exploitation active, or a source reports attacks.
Observed by OffSeq Mirage: OffSeq Mirage honeypot sensors recorded attack traffic for this CVE, or found exposed hosts without attack traffic.

Moments are spaced evenly, not to scale; a dashed line marks a gap of six months or more. Deltas count from t = 0. Sources that give only a date (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, or a time of exactly 00:00Z) read “same day” rather than hours. Metasploit modules carry the flaw’s disclosure date, not their release date, and nuclei templates carry no date, so both appear above but not on the timeline.

ghsa-3wrg-mvh6-9v25

What to do

Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.

Affected software

Product	Affected	Fixed in
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resolute`Other threats	Affected <7.0.0-31.31	Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-aws`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resolute`Other threats	Affected <7.0.0-1012.12	Fixed in 7.0.0-1012.12
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resolute`Other threats	Affected 6.17.0-1003.3 – 7.0.0-1012.12 13 affected builds	Fixed in–
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fde`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resolute`Other threats	Affected 7.0.0-1003.3 – 7.0.0-1011.11 7 affected builds	Fixed in–
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcp`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resolute`Other threats	Affected <7.0.0-1011.11	Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gke`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resolute`Other threats	Affected <7.0.0-1006.7	Fixed in 7.0.0-1006.7

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

AI-suggested

A patch is available and has been released by the vendor. Users should update their Linux kernel packages to the fixed versions as specified in the Ubuntu security notices USN-8726-1 and USN-8727-1. After updating, a system reboot is required to apply the changes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official patches.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vfio/mlx5: Fix racy bitfields and tighten struct layout Bitfield operations are not atomic, they use a read-modify-write pattern, therefore we should be careful not to pack bitfields that can be concurrently updated into the same storage unit. This split takes a binary approach: flags that are only modified pre/post open/close remain bitfields, flags modified from user action, including actions that reach across to another device (ex. reset) use dedicated storage units. Note mlx5_vhca_page_tracker.status is relocated to fill the alignment hole this split exposes. Bitfield justifications: migrate_cap: written only in mlx5vf_cmd_set_migratable() at probe chunk_mode: written only in mlx5vf_cmd_set_migratable() at probe mig_state_cap: written only in mlx5vf_cmd_set_migratable() at probe Dedicated storage units: mdev_detach: written in the VF attach/detach event notifier mlx5fv_vf_event() at runtime log_active: written in mlx5vf_start_page_tracker()/ mlx5vf_stop_page_tracker() during runtime dirty tracking deferred_reset: written in mlx5vf_state_mutex_unlock()/ mlx5vf_pci_aer_reset_done() during runtime reset handling is_err: set by tracker error handling and dirty-log polling at runtime object_changed: set by tracker event handling and cleared by dirty-log polling at runtime

Impact

The vulnerability could allow race conditions in bitfield operations within the vfio/mlx5 kernel subsystem, potentially leading to inconsistent kernel state or unintended behavior. While the exact exploitation impact is not detailed, such race conditions can sometimes be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise. The vendor advisory indicates multiple kernel security issues were fixed, suggesting this vulnerability contributes to the overall risk of system compromise if unpatched.

Summary

The Linux kernel vfio/mlx5 subsystem contained a vulnerability due to non-atomic bitfield operations that use a read-modify-write pattern. Concurrent updates to packed bitfields could cause race conditions, potentially leading to inconsistent or unintended behavior. The fix involves splitting bitfields so that flags modified only during open/close remain bitfields, while those modified at runtime, including user actions affecting other devices, use dedicated storage units. This restructuring also involves relocating certain fields to fill alignment holes exposed by the split. The vulnerability is addressed in Linux kernel versions 7.0.0-31.31 and later, with patches released by Ubuntu as part of their Linux kernel security updates.

References

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Exploitation evidence

What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 7 Sep 2026, 17:51 UTC

Technical details

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