CVE-2026-64302

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/mm: Fix freeing of PMD-sized vmemmap pages Commit bf9e4e30f353 ("x86/mm: use pagetable_free()"), switched from freeing non-boot page tables through __free_pages() to pagetable_free(). However, the function is also called to free vmemmap pages. Given that vmemmap pages are not page tables, already the page_ptdesc(page) is wrong. But worse, pagetable_free() calls: __free_pages(page, compound_order(page)); Since vmemmap pages are not compound pages (see vmemmap_alloc_block()) -- except for HVO, which doesn't apply here -- only first page of a PMD-sized vmemmap page is freed, leaking the other ones. Fix it by properly decoupling pagetable and vmemmap freeing. free_pagetable() no longer has to mess with SECTION_INFO, as only the vmemmap is marked like that in register_page_bootmem_memmap(). The indentation in remove_pmd_table() is messed up. Fix that while touching it. Bootmem info handling will soon be fixed up. For now, handle it similar to free_pagetable(), just avoiding the ifdef. [ dhansen: changelog munging. More imperative voice ]

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-07-25 10:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-09-03 16:11 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-07-25 10:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-09-03 16:11 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 6.18.39
• Linux Kernel < 7.1.4

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High