CVE-2026-97947
Received Received - Intake

NULL Pointer Dereference in Linux Kernel AMD Node

Publication date: 2026-09-25

Last updated on: 2026-09-25

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/amd_node: Fix potential NULL pointer dereference amd_smn_read/write() are exported functions around __amd_smn_rw(), so they are always available even if amd_smn_init() fails. In that case, 'amd_roots' is NULL and __amd_smn_rw() will access uninitialized memory. Then, commit: 83518453074d ("x86/amd_node: Add SMN offsets to exclusive region access") added the 'smn_exclusive' flag, which indicated the calls to pci_request_config_region_exclusive() succeeded, to prevent concurrent userspace access. Commit: 0a4b61d9c2e4 ("x86/amd_node: Fix AMD root device caching") re-ordered initialization so pci_request_config_region_exclusive() is called earlier and a failure exits amd_smn_init() before allocating 'amd_roots'. The setting of 'smn_exclusive' moved to the end of amd_smn_init(), after 'amd_roots' is allocated. It became redundant and can be removed. Replace 'smn_exclusive' with directly checking 'amd_roots', to fix a potential NULL pointer dereference and to simplify the logic. [ bp: Reorg commit message, touchup comment. ] [ mingo: Rebase & further touchups. ]

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-25
Last Modified
2026-09-25
Generated
2026-09-25
AI Q&A
2026-09-25
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-97947
EUVD
EUVD-2026-86801

Affected Vendors & Products

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

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Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This is a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AMD node handling. It occurs when amd_smn_read/write() functions access uninitialized memory because amd_roots is NULL due to a failed amd_smn_init(). A recent change moved the initialization order, causing pci_request_config_region_exclusive() to fail before amd_roots is allocated.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel and relates to a NULL pointer dereference in the AMD node handling code. Detection requires checking the kernel version and examining kernel logs for related errors. Use commands like 'uname -a' to check kernel version and 'dmesg | grep -i amd' to look for AMD-related errors in system logs.

Impact Analysis

This could lead to system crashes or instability if exploited. It may allow unauthorized access to sensitive system resources or data corruption. Systems using AMD processors with affected Linux kernel versions are at risk.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest kernel update from your Linux distribution to patch this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling AMD-specific features or isolating affected systems until the update is applied.

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