Evidence-led vulnerability intelligence · 2026-09-16 16:47 IST

CVE-2026-89956

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: s390/vfio-ap: Fix missing lock required to access list of ap_matrix_mdev objects In order to traverse or add/remove ap_matrix_mdev objects in the matrix_dev->mdev_list, the matrix_dev->guests_lock mutex must be held. There are two functions that access the list without holding the mutex: vfio_ap_mdev_probe function ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The vfio_ap_mdev_probe function uses the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock mutex to guard the add of a newly created ap_matrix_mdev object to the matrix_dev->mdev_list. This mutex does not protect list access; its purpose is to guard against concurrent access to fields contained in an ap_matrix_mdev object. This could lead to kernel memory corruption or use-after-free if another mdev is created or removed concurrently. The adding of an ap_matrix_mdev object to matrix_dev->mdev_list is now guarded by the matrix_dev->guests_lock which is the correct way to protect against concurrent mdev_list access. Also removed the following two lines of code because the matrix_mdev is allocated via vfio_alloc_device macro which uses kzalloc, so req_trigger and cfg_chg_trigger are already zero-initialised when the struct is allocated before the call to vfio_register_emulated_iommu_dev. This prevents a window whereby these triggers are set to NULL after the device is exposed to userspace. matrix_mdev->req_trigger = NULL; matrix_mdev->cfg_chg_trigger = NULL; vfio_ap_mdev_for_queue function ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The status_show function that supports display of the status attribute of the devices in /sys/bus/ap/devices calls the vfio_ap_mdev_for_queue function which iterates the matrix_dev->mdev_list to find the object representing the queue device whose status is to be displayed. In order to traverse this list, the matrix_dev->guests_lock mutex must be held. To fix this, the guests_lock mutex is taken prior to taking the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock mutex in the status_show function. It is taken there rather than the vfio_ap_mdev_for_queue function - where it is needed - because it must be taken prior to the mdevs_lock mutex in order to adhere to the proper locking order and prevent a lockdep splat; also because the mdevs_lock is needed there to access fields within the matrix_mdev object in that function. See the vfio-ap-locking.rst in the linux kernel tree.

UNRATED · N/ALinux

Executive briefing

The source record describes: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: s390/vfio-ap: Fix missing lock required to access list of ap_matrix_mdev objects In order to traverse or add/remove ap_matrix_mdev objects in the matrix_dev->mdev_list, the matrix_dev->guests_lock mutex must be held. There are two functions that access the list without holding the mutex: vfio_ap_mdev_probe function ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The vfio_ap_mdev_probe function uses the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock mutex to guard the add of a newly created ap_matrix_mdev object to the matrix_dev->mdev_list. This mutex does not protect list access; its purpose is to guard against concurrent access to fields contained in an ap_matrix_mdev object. This could lead to kernel memory corruption or use-after-free if another mdev is created or removed concurrently. The adding of an ap_matrix_mdev object to matrix_dev->mdev_list is now guarded by the matrix_dev->guests_lock which is the correct way to protect against concurrent mdev_list access. Also removed the following two lines of code because the matrix_mdev is allocated via vfio_alloc_device macro which uses kzalloc, so req_trigger and cfg_chg_trigger are already zero-initialised when the struct is allocated before the call to vfio_register_emulated_iommu_dev. This prevents a window whereby these triggers are set to NULL after the device is exposed to userspace. matrix_mdev->req_trigger = NULL; matrix_mdev->cfg_chg_trigger = NULL; vfio_ap_mdev_for_queue function ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The status_show function that supports display of the status attribute of the devices in /sys/bus/ap/devices calls the vfio_ap_mdev_for_queue function which iterates the matrix_dev->mdev_list to find the object representing the queue device whose status is to be displayed. In order to traverse this list, the matrix_dev->guests_lock mutex must be held. To fix this, the guests_lock mutex is taken prior to taking the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock mutex in the status_show function. It is taken there rather than the vfio_ap_mdev_for_queue function - where it is needed - because it must be taken prior to the mdevs_lock mutex in order to adhere to the proper locking order and prevent a lockdep splat; also because the mdevs_lock is needed there to access fields within the matrix_mdev object in that function. See the vfio-ap-locking.rst in the linux kernel tree. The practical risk depends on whether an affected product/version is present, reachable and configured in an exploitable way. Review the affected-product evidence and linked vendor advisories before assigning exposure status.

Assessment: Potential exposure only — validate the installed product, exact version, configuration and vendor applicability before treating an asset as confirmed vulnerable.

Evidence confidence: Limited Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict

Severity & attack characteristics

N/A / 10 ·

CVSS vector:

No CVSS vector is currently available in the source record.

Technical explanation & impact

The technical mechanism is not expanded beyond the source description unless a referenced advisory supplies additional evidence. Read the linked vendor/CERT advisories for root-cause detail.

Potential impact must be interpreted from the published CVSS impact metrics and the affected component. A CVSS impact score is not proof that a particular asset is exploitable.

Affected products and versions

NVD has not supplied machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this CVE. This is an information gap, not proof that no products are affected. Check the vendor advisory references below.

Remediation & validation

  1. Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
  2. Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
  3. Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
  4. Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.

No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.

Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references

Information gaps & confidence notes

These gaps indicate missing source data. CVE Watch does not fill them with guessed product, exploit or patch details.

Last enrichment: 2026-11-09T13:29:57+00:00 · Source last modified: 2026-10-30T13:20:36.793

Open NVD record ← Back to CVE Watch