Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3 dm-pcache cache_dev_zero_range seg_num out-of-bounds write

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.8$0-$5k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3. The affected element is the function cache_dev_zero_range of the component dm-pcache. The manipulation of the argument seg_num leads to out-of-bounds write. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-80960. The attack must be carried out locally. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3 and classified as very critical. This issue affects the function cache_dev_zero_range of the component dm-pcache. The manipulation of the argument seg_num with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-787. The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: dm-pcache: validate on-media seg_num against the cache device size seg_num is read from the crc32c-only superblock, so whoever supplies the cache device on a table load (CAP_SYS_ADMIN) controls it. It sizes cache->segments[] and is the value every later on-media segment id is bounded against, yet it is never checked against the device. Because cache_dev->mapping is the direct map of the pmem, CACHE_DEV_SEGMENT() for a segment id past the device resolves to ordinary kernel memory beyond the mapping; a new-cache init reaching such an id has cache_seg_init() -> cache_dev_zero_range() memset() 12 KiB over that memory -- an out-of-bounds write into the kernel heap at table load. A zero seg_num makes the segment allocations ZERO_SIZE_PTR. Reject a seg_num that is zero, larger than the device can hold, or larger than PCACHE_CACHE_SEGS_MAX before it is used.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-80960 since 08/26/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Additional levels of successful authentication are necessary for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/11/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.50, 7.2.4 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 91b93fe5cf4d62d5ecc642a6c8f15a3c11b00e3c/e889c0ee81165fc90aad2979b51f930f77895703/62d92e45abe9e087370f9fc5d876b95673aced34 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.8

VulDB Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Temp Score: 7.8
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Out-of-bounds write
CWE: CWE-787 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.50/7.2.4/7.3-rc1
Patch: 91b93fe5cf4d62d5ecc642a6c8f15a3c11b00e3c/e889c0ee81165fc90aad2979b51f930f77895703/62d92e45abe9e087370f9fc5d876b95673aced34

Timelineinfo

08/26/2026 CVE reserved
09/11/2026 +16 days Advisory disclosed
09/11/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/11/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-80960 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-80960
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-402683

Entryinfo

Created: 09/11/2026 23:39
Changes: 09/11/2026 23:39 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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