CVE-2026-98720
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: nVMX: Force MSR bitmap refresh if runtime eVMCS controls are modified Force a refresh of the vmcs02 MSR bitmap during nested VM-Enter if the runtime eVMCS controls (pin, primary, secondary, etc.) are being updated. If L1 isn't intercepting TPR writes, runs L2 with TPR virtualization, and then runs the same L2 with TPR virtualization disabled, KVM will fail to refresh msr_bitmap02 and leave TPR in passthrough mode even though TPR virtualization is disabled. I.e. failure to refresh the bitmap lets L2 (or L1 by proxy) read and write L0's TPR.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
5.17
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.12.113,
6.18.56,
7.2.10,
7.3
and their respective stable series.
References
4 totalFrequently asked questions
-
What is CVE-2026-98720?
CVE-2026-98720 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.17 onward and has been patched in 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 and others. CVE-2026-98720 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
-
Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98720?
Yes. CVE-2026-98720 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.17 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
-
Is CVE-2026-98720 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-98720 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.