CVE-2026-23085
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
Integer Overflow in Linux GICv3 ITS Driver Causes Kernel Crash

Publication date: 2026-02-04

Last updated on: 2026-03-17

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: irqchip/gic-v3-its: Avoid truncating memory addresses On 32-bit machines with CONFIG_ARM_LPAE, it is possible for lowmem allocations to be backed by addresses physical memory above the 32-bit address limit, as found while experimenting with larger VMSPLIT configurations. This caused the qemu virt model to crash in the GICv3 driver, which allocates the 'itt' object using GFP_KERNEL. Since all memory below the 4GB physical address limit is in ZONE_DMA in this configuration, kmalloc() defaults to higher addresses for ZONE_NORMAL, and the ITS driver stores the physical address in a 32-bit 'unsigned long' variable. Change the itt_addr variable to the correct phys_addr_t type instead, along with all other variables in this driver that hold a physical address. The gicv5 driver correctly uses u64 variables, while all other irqchip drivers don't call virt_to_phys or similar interfaces. It's expected that other device drivers have similar issues, but fixing this one is sufficient for booting a virtio based guest.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-02-04
Last Modified
2026-03-17
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-02-04
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-23085
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 12 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.199 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.162 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.122 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.68 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.8 (exc)
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel From 3.19 (inc) to 5.10.249 (exc)
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Exploitability
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's irqchip/gic-v3-its driver where memory addresses are improperly truncated on 32-bit machines with CONFIG_ARM_LPAE enabled.

Specifically, low memory allocations can be backed by physical memory addresses above the 32-bit address limit, but the driver stores these addresses in a 32-bit unsigned long variable, causing truncation.

This truncation leads to crashes in the QEMU virt model's GICv3 driver because the physical address is not correctly represented.

The fix involves changing the variable holding the physical address to the correct phys_addr_t type, which can handle larger addresses, preventing the truncation and associated crashes.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can cause system instability or crashes when running virtualized environments using the QEMU virt model on affected 32-bit ARM systems with CONFIG_ARM_LPAE enabled.

Specifically, the GICv3 interrupt controller driver may crash due to incorrect handling of physical memory addresses, potentially leading to denial of service or system failure.

Compliance Impact

I don't know

Detection Guidance

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Mitigation Strategies

This vulnerability has been resolved by changing the variable types in the irqchip/gic-v3-its driver to correctly handle physical addresses beyond the 32-bit limit.

To mitigate this vulnerability, you should update your Linux kernel to a version that includes this fix.

Specifically, ensure that your kernel includes the patch that changes the 'itt_addr' variable and other physical address variables in the driver to use the correct phys_addr_t type instead of a 32-bit unsigned long.

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