CVE-2026-72279: Linux kernel · KVM: arm64: nv: Respect read-only PFN when mapping L1 VNCR
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.0 Critical · fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1017.17~24.04.1, 7.0.0-1016.16~24.04.1 +12
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Aug 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.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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 patch is available and has been released by Ubuntu and other Linux distributors. Users should update their Linux kernel to the fixed versions provided by their vendor and reboot the system to apply the changes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules are necessary. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official update.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM subsystem for arm64 architecture was resolved. The issue involved improper handling of read-only page frame numbers (PFNs) when mapping Level 1 Virtual Non-Coherent Region (VNCR), potentially allowing write access where only read access should be permitted. This flaw could lead to privilege escalation and denial of service. The vulnerability has been addressed by caching PFN writability and enforcing correct permissions, including promoting permission faults to secure exceptions. Multiple affected Linux kernel versions have been patched, and a system reboot is required after updating.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72279 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2684e02bac41c5220f6c1ab2bdcc957b71812977 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5c50db5bcbb9073cb2fd97be51b962de92f429e9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d35defbdfcb15296ebe28968ad7452c1a8c11cea (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72279 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72279 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/2684e02bac41c5220f6c1ab2bdcc957b71812977 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8816-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-2 (opens in a new tab)