CVE-2026-89958
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: s390/vfio-ap: Fix dereference matrix_mdev->kvm without checking for NULL The ap_driver structure has two fields which are function pointers to callbacks: * .on_config_changed: called at the start of the AP bus scan function to notify the device driver that the host AP configuration has changed and the associated AP devices will be added or removed accordingly. This gives the implementor a chance to evaluate the configuration changes and respond to them before the associated devices are added or removed. * .on_scan_complete: Called at the end of the AP bus scan function to notify the device driver that the host AP configuration has changed and the AP devices have been added or removed accordingly. This gives the implementor the opportunity to respond to the changes after the associated devices are added or removed. These two callbacks are implemented in the vfio_ap device driver via the vfio_ap_on_cfg_changed and vfio_ap_on_scan_complete functions respectively. Within the call stack of these two callback functions the matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex is taken without checking whether matrix_mdev->kvm is NULL or not. If matrix_mdev->kvm has never been set, trying to take the lock will trigger a NULL pointer dereference. This patch adds checks for matrix_mdev->kvm == NULL before taking the matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex. Note that the matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex taken in the vfio_ap_mdev_hot_plug_config function is moved to the calling function along with the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock which is needed there to access the fields of the matrix_mdev. It makes little sense to make the change the check for matrix_mdev->kvm there before taking the kvm->lock mutex only to have to move it out via another patch, so it is done in this patch. It is important to make note of the following: 1. The matrix_dev->guests_lock is acquired at the start of both callback functions. This ensures that matrix_mdev will not be removed via the vfio_ap_mdev_remove function because it too takes matrix_dev_guests_lock before removing the object; so, matrix_mdev will be available for the duration of the callback functions. 2. The matrix_dev->mdevs_lock mutex must be taken in order to access fields within the matrix_mdev structure 3. matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex must be taken before the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock to prevent a lockdep splat. 4: The kvm->lock must be held while plugging the guest's AP configuration into its SIE state description via the vfio_ap_mdev_update_guest_apcb function. 5. The vfio_ap_mdev_update_guest_apcb checks matrix_mdev->kvm to verify it is not NULL before doing the hot plug of the guest's AP configuration.
Executive briefing
The source record describes: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: s390/vfio-ap: Fix dereference matrix_mdev->kvm without checking for NULL The ap_driver structure has two fields which are function pointers to callbacks: * .on_config_changed: called at the start of the AP bus scan function to notify the device driver that the host AP configuration has changed and the associated AP devices will be added or removed accordingly. This gives the implementor a chance to evaluate the configuration changes and respond to them before the associated devices are added or removed. * .on_scan_complete: Called at the end of the AP bus scan function to notify the device driver that the host AP configuration has changed and the AP devices have been added or removed accordingly. This gives the implementor the opportunity to respond to the changes after the associated devices are added or removed. These two callbacks are implemented in the vfio_ap device driver via the vfio_ap_on_cfg_changed and vfio_ap_on_scan_complete functions respectively. Within the call stack of these two callback functions the matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex is taken without checking whether matrix_mdev->kvm is NULL or not. If matrix_mdev->kvm has never been set, trying to take the lock will trigger a NULL pointer dereference. This patch adds checks for matrix_mdev->kvm == NULL before taking the matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex. Note that the matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex taken in the vfio_ap_mdev_hot_plug_config function is moved to the calling function along with the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock which is needed there to access the fields of the matrix_mdev. It makes little sense to make the change the check for matrix_mdev->kvm there before taking the kvm->lock mutex only to have to move it out via another patch, so it is done in this patch. It is important to make note of the following: 1. The matrix_dev->guests_lock is acquired at the start of both callback functions. This ensures that matrix_mdev will not be removed via the vfio_ap_mdev_remove function because it too takes matrix_dev_guests_lock before removing the object; so, matrix_mdev will be available for the duration of the callback functions. 2. The matrix_dev->mdevs_lock mutex must be taken in order to access fields within the matrix_mdev structure 3. matrix_mdev->kvm->lock mutex must be taken before the matrix_dev->mdevs_lock to prevent a lockdep splat. 4: The kvm->lock must be held while plugging the guest's AP configuration into its SIE state description via the vfio_ap_mdev_update_guest_apcb function. 5. The vfio_ap_mdev_update_guest_apcb checks matrix_mdev->kvm to verify it is not NULL before doing the hot plug of the guest's AP configuration. 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.
Evidence confidence: Low Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
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
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/178ea7a1c2c3c0c01d14b8f60aa35f1e0cdc6b78 REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fbe430fe40bc5adb7e439d0136d2c5fe34613ba REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/334b435b951353f934d5110c4630e0cb58d2f9a7 REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f7e869d0db24ae07b4c888fd3bc21554eef775d REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e932abfcce6189d067fffb0eb8214443bc04374 REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d50346801b4f144e42b49cd4f1496010498ab114 REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Information gaps & confidence notes
These gaps indicate missing source data. CVE Watch does not fill them with guessed product, exploit or patch details.
- NVD does not currently provide machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this record.
- No vendor advisory or patch reference was identified in the supplied CVE references.
- No CVSS vector is currently available in the source record.
- No CWE classification is currently available.
Last enrichment: 2026-11-09T13:29:57+00:00 · Source last modified: 2026-10-30T13:20:36.943