Linux Kernel up to 7.1.8 huge_memory mm/huge_memory __folio_split state issue

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.8. The affected element is the function __folio_split of the file mm/huge_memory of the component huge_memory. The manipulation leads to state issue. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-80729. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.8 and classified as very critical. This issue affects the function __folio_split of the file mm/huge_memory of the component huge_memory. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a state issue vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-371. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/huge_memory: initialise workingset state before folio split xas_try_split() adds __GFP_ACCOUNT for page-cache xa_nodes, but __folio_split() leaves the xa_state's xa_lru unset. That lets a live, memcg-charged xa_node exist without being linked into the mapping's shadow_nodes list_lru; when reclaim later walks the list_lru it trips VM_WARN_ON(!css_is_dying()). Use mapping_set_update() to install both the workingset update callback and the shadow_nodes list_lru on the xa_state.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-80729 since 08/26/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/03/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.1.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d858f7c9fc514f1d9d3be7d00b2dd4e2f2383b55/aca1f2d5de17e138bc6c4859126b77e516b82541 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
• 7.1.5
• 7.1.6
• 7.1.7
• 7.1.8

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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