CVE-2026-89581: Linux kernel · bpf, x86: Fix per-CPU address resolution into an extended register
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 11 Sep 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
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
The vulnerability has been resolved in the Linux kernel by correcting the REX prefix construction to use add_2mod(), ensuring the correct extended register is addressed. Users should apply the official kernel updates that include this fix. Since this is a kernel-level vulnerability, updating to a patched kernel version is the recommended remediation. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the provided data; therefore, check the vendor or distribution advisory for the latest remediation guidance.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF implementation on x86 platforms causes incorrect per-CPU address resolution into extended registers. This flaw leads to the use of wrong registers during per-CPU address MOV instructions, resulting in kernel page faults and potential kernel panics. The issue arises because the REX prefix is incorrectly constructed, causing the high register bit to be lost and the destination register to be misidentified. This bug was triggered notably when using BPF_GCC, which keeps multiple per-CPU addresses live simultaneously. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions as listed and has a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a medium severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89581 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5bbbce02e500d47d8e259a45be5a7be9741d0533 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/638bc3aada8ecdece184d5c15b100d489c9cccd7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6886642414f59f928728802dc2c972a9859e6310 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6a19b18d458881bf3269a357cc6dc6db5eef4369 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-89581 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-89581 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/5bbbce02e500d47d8e259a45be5a7be9741d0533 (opens in a new tab)