In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: arm64: vgic-its: Drop the translation cache reference only for the erased… (CVE-2026-46316)
A critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM arm64 vgic-its component was resolved. The issue involves improper handling of translation cache references during concurrent cache invalidation, leading to a use-after-free condition. This flaw could allow an attacker with local access to cause memory corruption with potential confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Red Hat has issued security advisories providing patches for affected Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 versions. Systems must be updated and rebooted to apply the fix.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability (CVE-2026-46316) in the Linux kernel's KVM arm64 vgic-its component arises because vgic_its_invalidate_cache() incorrectly drops the translation cache reference on the iterated pointer rather than the value returned by xa_erase(). Since multiple contexts can concurrently drain the same cache without mutual exclusion, this can cause the cache's single reference on an entry to be dropped multiple times, leading to the entry being freed while still mapped by an ITE. This use-after-free condition can result in severe impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Red Hat advisories RHSA-2026:34911 and RHSA-2026:36018 provide patches for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 kernels addressing this issue.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows local attackers to trigger a use-after-free condition in the KVM arm64 vgic-its translation cache handling. This can lead to memory corruption, potentially causing privilege escalation, information disclosure, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 vector rates this as critical with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Red Hat has released official patches for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 kernels that fix this vulnerability. Users should apply the relevant kernel updates as described in Red Hat advisories RHSA-2026:34911 and RHSA-2026:36018 and reboot affected systems to ensure the fix takes effect. Patch status is confirmed and remediation is available.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: arm64: vgic-its: Drop the translation cache reference only for the erased… (CVE-2026-46316)
Description
A critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM arm64 vgic-its component was resolved. The issue involves improper handling of translation cache references during concurrent cache invalidation, leading to a use-after-free condition. This flaw could allow an attacker with local access to cause memory corruption with potential confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Red Hat has issued security advisories providing patches for affected Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 versions. Systems must be updated and rebooted to apply the fix.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.3critical
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability (CVE-2026-46316) in the Linux kernel's KVM arm64 vgic-its component arises because vgic_its_invalidate_cache() incorrectly drops the translation cache reference on the iterated pointer rather than the value returned by xa_erase(). Since multiple contexts can concurrently drain the same cache without mutual exclusion, this can cause the cache's single reference on an entry to be dropped multiple times, leading to the entry being freed while still mapped by an ITE. This use-after-free condition can result in severe impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Red Hat advisories RHSA-2026:34911 and RHSA-2026:36018 provide patches for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 kernels addressing this issue.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows local attackers to trigger a use-after-free condition in the KVM arm64 vgic-its translation cache handling. This can lead to memory corruption, potentially causing privilege escalation, information disclosure, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 vector rates this as critical with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Red Hat has released official patches for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10 kernels that fix this vulnerability. Users should apply the relevant kernel updates as described in Red Hat advisories RHSA-2026:34911 and RHSA-2026:36018 and reboot affected systems to ensure the fix takes effect. Patch status is confirmed and remediation is available.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-qcxh-2cm7-9fcc
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-46316"]
- Ecosystems
- []
- Database Specific Severity
- CRITICAL
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a6b72b39c2644c7f84727f2
Added to database: 07/30/2026, 15:50:11 UTC
Last enriched: 07/30/2026, 20:10:22 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:24:46 UTC
Views: 2
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