CVE-2026-97942: Linux kernel · x86/alternatives: Exclude text poking against change_page_attr()
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 1587d3394e254639cc36516256031334095e6ef3 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
Rated Medium by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 9% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 1587d3394e254639cc36516256031334095e6ef3, 281e6f536f2f3f95d91938c5bd7ba9bcb4c1049d, 89c60435b90d32ab5e3a39da3ae73d463d07debe
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 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
Upgrade Linux kernel to 1587d3394e254639cc36516256031334095e6ef3, 281e6f536f2f3f95d91938c5bd7ba9bcb4c1049d or 89c60435b90d32ab5e3a39da3ae73d463d07debe.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel source, excluding text poking against change_page_attr() using the init_mm mmap read lock. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions identified by the commits 1587d3394e254639cc36516256031334095e6ef3, 281e6f536f2f3f95d91938c5bd7ba9bcb4c1049d, and 89c60435b90d32ab5e3a39da3ae73d463d07debe. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying these updates.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's x86 alternatives patching code could cause a kernel BUG due to race conditions involving text poking and change_page_attr(). This occurs when vmalloc_to_page() fails, potentially collapsing page tables or breaking hugepages, leading to a kernel crash. The issue arises when multiple modules concurrently call set_memory_*() on a shared execmem vmalloc range. The flaw has been fixed by excluding text poking against change_page_attr() using the init_mm mmap read lock.