CVE-2026-72294 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
LoongArch: KVM: Check irq validity in kvm_vcpu_ioctl_interrupt()
Function kvm_vcpu_ioctl_interrupt() can be called from userspace, here add irq validility cheking in kvm_vcpu_ioctl_interrupt().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2026
The vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel's LoongArch architecture implementation of the Kernel-based Virtual Machine subsystem where improper input validation leads to potential security risks. This issue specifically affects the kvm_vcpu_ioctl_interrupt() function which handles interrupt operations for virtual cpu instances. The function operates at the kernel level and accepts user-space requests through ioctl system calls, creating an attack surface that requires careful validation of incoming parameters.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of interrupt identifiers within the kvm_vcpu_ioctl_interrupt() function implementation. When userspace applications invoke this function to inject interrupts into virtual machines, the kernel fails to properly verify the validity of the interrupt numbers provided. This absence of input sanitization creates opportunities for malformed or out-of-range interrupt values to be processed without proper bounds checking, potentially leading to memory corruption or privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across virtualization environments utilizing LoongArch architecture where KVM is implemented. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious ioctl calls with invalid interrupt numbers, potentially causing kernel crashes, data corruption, or unauthorized access to privileged kernel memory regions. Such exploits would be particularly dangerous in multi-tenant cloud environments where virtual machine isolation is paramount for security.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write categories, representing a classic case of insufficient input validation in kernel space operations. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, Privilege Escalation through exploitation of kernel vulnerabilities, as the improper interrupt validation could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the virtualized environment. Mitigation strategies should include implementing comprehensive parameter validation within the kvm_vcpu_ioctl_interrupt() function to verify interrupt number ranges against valid hardware interrupt specifications before processing any requests from user-space applications.
The fix requires adding explicit validation checks for interrupt identifiers within the kernel implementation, ensuring that only legitimate interrupt numbers are accepted. This approach prevents malformed interrupt values from being processed and eliminates potential pathways for exploitation. System administrators should ensure all kernel updates are applied promptly to address this vulnerability, particularly in production environments where virtualization is extensively used. The solution must maintain compatibility with existing virtual machine configurations while providing robust protection against the identified security flaw.