CVE-2026-93206
Received Received - Intake

PCI/proc Config Space Access Bypass in Linux Kernel

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-93206, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-09-24

Last updated on: 2026-09-24

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: PCI/proc: Use file_ns_capable() when checking config space read access proc_bus_pci_read() decides how much of the config space is readable based on capable(CAP_SYS_ADMIN), which checks the credentials of the task calling read(), not the credentials of the process that opened the file. The sysfs equivalent, pci_read_config(), has checked the credentials of the opening process since commit de139a339395 ("pci: check caps from sysfs file open to read device dependent config space"), so a privileged process can open the config space file and pass the file descriptor to an unprivileged process (for example, a process running a KVM guest with an assigned device), which can then read the entire config space. The check was subsequently routed through the LSM framework in commit 47970b1b2aa6 ("pci: use security_capable() when checking capablities during config space read") and converted to the dedicated helper in commit ab0fa82b2df9 ("pci-sysfs: use proper file capability helper function"). Thus, the two interfaces check the same capability against different credentials. Checking the credentials of the task calling read() makes the outcome depend on who reads rather than who opened, so the restriction is bypassed whenever a more privileged process reads through the descriptor. Checking the credentials recorded in file->f_cred settles the decision at open() time and ties it to the file, where it cannot change with the caller. Use file_ns_capable() to check CAP_SYS_ADMIN against the credentials in effect when the file was opened, bringing the procfs interface in line with the sysfs behaviour. As a result, a file descriptor opened by a privileged process and passed to an unprivileged one now allows the entire config space to be read through procfs, matching sysfs.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-24
Last Modified
2026-09-24
Generated
2026-09-25
AI Q&A
2026-09-24
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves inconsistent permission checks between procfs and sysfs when reading PCI config space. The procfs interface checks capabilities of the calling task, while sysfs checks the credentials of the process that opened the file. This allows a privileged process to open a file descriptor and pass it to an unprivileged process, which can then read the entire PCI config space despite lacking proper permissions.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves improper credential checks in the Linux kernel's PCI/proc interface. To detect it, check if your kernel version is affected by examining the kernel version and comparing it to patched versions. Use commands like 'uname -r' to check the kernel version and review system logs for unusual PCI config space access patterns.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to gain unauthorized access to sensitive PCI configuration data by tricking a privileged process into opening a file descriptor and passing it to an unprivileged process. This could lead to information disclosure or further system compromise.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows a privileged process to open a file descriptor and pass it to an unprivileged process, enabling the unprivileged process to read the entire PCI config space. This could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system information, which may impact compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA if such information includes personal or health data.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest kernel patches from your Linux distribution to resolve this issue. If immediate patching is not possible, restrict access to /proc/bus/pci files and monitor for unauthorized PCI config space access attempts.

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