CVE-2026-89981

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm64: Don't read GMID_EL1 when MTE is disabled __cpuinfo_store_cpu() gates the GMID_EL1 read on the raw ID_AA64PFR1_EL1, so it reads the register even when the kernel has disabled MTE (CONFIG_ARM64_MTE=n or arm64.nomte). KVM sets HCR_EL2.TID5 in that case, and pKVM injects an UNDEF the host cannot handle: Internal error: Oops - Undefined instruction: 0000000002000000 [#1] SMP pc : __cpuinfo_store_cpu+0xf4/0x264 Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task! Only pKVM reaches it, and only after a CPU is offlined and brought back online: its CPU_ON relay sets the host HCR before the CPU enters EL1, while plain nVHE sets it at CPUHP_AP_KVM_ONLINE. Gate the read on the CPU's own ID_AA64PFR1_EL1 with the command-line override applied, and on CONFIG_ARM64_MTE, which no register reflects. The boot CPU stores its registers before init_cpu_features() strips an unsafe override, so clamp against the hardware value here too.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-09-16
Last modified 2026-09-16
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 7.0 and later are affected. Fixed in 7.2.5, 7.3-rc2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 7.0
Fixed in
✓ 7.2.5 7.2.x ✓ 7.3-rc2

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-89981?

    CVE-2026-89981 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 7.0 onward and has been patched in 7.2.5 and 7.3-rc2. CVE-2026-89981 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-89981?

    Yes. CVE-2026-89981 has been patched. Fixed versions include 7.2.5 and 7.3-rc2. If you are running Linux kernel 7.0 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-89981 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-89981 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.