Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 huge_memory mm/huge_memory.c change_non_present_huge_pmd downgrade

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 and classified as very critical. Affected by this issue is the function change_non_present_huge_pmd of the file mm/huge_memory.c of the component huge_memory. The manipulation results in downgrade. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-72180. The attack must be initiated from a local position. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4. It has been classified as very critical. Affected is the function change_non_present_huge_pmd of the file mm/huge_memory.c of the component huge_memory. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a downgrade vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-757. A protocol or its implementation supports interaction between multiple actors and allows those actors to negotiate which algorithm should be used as a protection mechanism such as encryption or authentication, but it does not select the strongest algorithm that is available to both parties. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/huge_memory: preserve pmd_swp_uffd_wp on device-private PMD downgrade change_non_present_huge_pmd() rewrites a writable device-private PMD swap entry into a readable one without carrying pmd_swp_uffd_wp() across. The PTE-level change_softleaf_pte() does this correctly; mirror that here, matching what copy_huge_pmd() does for the fork path. Without the carry, a plain mprotect() over a UFFD_WP-marked device-private THP strips the bit and the trap is bypassed on swap-in.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-72180 since 08/09/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026). This vulnerability is assigned to T1562.010 by the MITRE ATT&CK project.

Upgrading to version 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 2611f7521c6c124b1bef1be4fc319e0ca144502f/f7e2c21bd1f57cd5350eecdfdb5d6025ca6afbab is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 7.1.0
• 7.1.1
• 7.1.2
• 7.1.3
• 7.1.4

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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