CVE-2026-90240: Linux kernel · iommu/vt-d: Flush context cache with correct SID when tearing down aliases
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 5% 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:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 17 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
A fix is available for this vulnerability. Users should update affected Linux kernel versions to the patched releases that correct the context cache flushing behavior by passing the correct source ID during teardown. Since this is a kernel-level issue, applying the official kernel updates from the vendor or distribution is the recommended remediation.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's IOMMU VT-d implementation was resolved. The flaw involved improper flushing of the context cache when tearing down DMA aliases, causing stale cached entries to persist. This could lead to the IOMMU walking freed memory, potentially causing memory corruption or escalation of privileges. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions used in various Ubuntu LTS releases. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 8.8, indicating significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90240 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5baddf100b3be730912485648cbaae5e3a251923 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a803141597d61dc0511f7cd849625e17d042ca8a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c54e4ae971b98e8d650400137d332cee56c03f55 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-90240 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-90240 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/c54e4ae971b98e8d650400137d332cee56c03f55 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3eb6ad14ef359e426cff14942e220de101cdbe84 (opens in a new tab)