Linux Kernel up to 7.1.10 fbdev fb_set_var_from_user Local Privilege Escalation

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as very critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.10. The impacted element is the function fb_set_var_from_user of the component fbdev. Such manipulation leads to Local Privilege Escalation. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-80786. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.10 and classified as very critical. Affected by this issue is the function fb_set_var_from_user of the component fbdev. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a local privilege escalation vulnerability. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbdev: Wrap user-invoked calls to fb_set_var() in helper Handle fbcon during display updates in fb_set_var_from_user(). Check with fbcon if the mode change is possible, update hardware state and finally update fbcon. Update all callers. Only the FBIOPUT_VSCREENINFO ioctl currently does all steps. Other mode-changes callers in sysfs and driver code are missing fbcon-related steps. With the new helper, ps3fb and sh_mobile_lcdcfb no longer maintain fbcon state themselves.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-80786 since 08/26/2026. The exploitation is known 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 09/04/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.1.11 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 07f7e46833f71472e30da54a50dacdf48521bdd3/6f611e5e5f3327cf2e2daabe6ee5acac58cc784e 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
• 7.1.9
• 7.1.10

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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