Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 XIVE IPI Initialization xive_smp_probe use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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8.4$0-$5k0.16-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5. This vulnerability affects the function xive_smp_probe of the component XIVE IPI Initialization. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-93260. An attack has to be approached locally. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5. This issue affects the function xive_smp_probe of the component XIVE IPI Initialization. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc/xive: propagate IPI init errors to prevent use-after-free When xive_init_ipis() fails (e.g. irq_domain_alloc_irqs() fails), the error path frees the global xive_ipis array. However, xive_smp_probe() previously ignored this failure and proceeded to call xive_setup_cpu_ipi(), which dereferences the already-freed xive_ipis pointer -- a use-after-free. Now that xive_smp_probe() returns int (previous patch), propagate the error from xive_init_ipis() and xive_setup_cpu_ipi() through xive_smp_probe(). Check the return value in both pnv_smp_probe() and pSeries_smp_probe() so that IPI setup is aborted cleanly on failure, avoiding the use-after-free.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-93260 since 09/17/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/25/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 350067 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-93260), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch c554a8d376d5aea1b237ed6bef6f9fbfc550e67f/411a3c016e7a95f5fa105a0587e07d0647a77727 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (350067). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.4

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
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: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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

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Nessus ID: 350067
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-93260

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 7.2.6/7.3-rc1
Patch: c554a8d376d5aea1b237ed6bef6f9fbfc550e67f/411a3c016e7a95f5fa105a0587e07d0647a77727

Timelineinfo

09/17/2026 CVE reserved
09/24/2026 +7 days Advisory disclosed
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/25/2026 +1 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-93260 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-93260
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-409709

Entryinfo

Created: 09/24/2026 20:22
Updated: 09/25/2026 12:41
Changes: 09/24/2026 20:22 (59), 09/25/2026 12:41 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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