CVE-2026-72239: Linux kernel · x86/virt/sev: Revert "Drop WBINVD before setting MSR_AMD64_SYSCFG_SNP_EN
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.3 Critical.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 20:18 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Aug 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 12 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-fde-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available that reverts the problematic commit, restoring proper cache flushing behavior before setting the MSR_AMD64_SYSCFG_SNP_EN register. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this revert to mitigate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to the AMD SEV (Secure Encrypted Virtualization) SNP feature involves improper cache flushing before setting the MSR_AMD64_SYSCFG_SNP_EN register. The issue arises from a race condition where dirty cache lines may not be flushed correctly, violating firmware requirements and potentially leading to security breaches. This vulnerability has been addressed by reverting a previous change that dropped the WBINVD instruction before setting the register, ensuring safer cache flushing. The flaw affects specific Linux kernel versions used in various Ubuntu LTS releases.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72239 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72239 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/4c2509f3b79756679a02bea649c6a7501b58f52c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4c2509f3b79756679a02bea649c6a7501b58f52c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e5158ff53fdff9c229bf13aa5f75eb17cdcfcd2d (opens in a new tab)