Vulnerability · CVE-2026-98396
powerpc: Do not restore KUAP in arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare()
Published Oct 14, 2026 · corrected/updated Oct 15, 2026 · evidence confidence high
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc: Do not restore KUAP in arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare() KUAP means kernel cannot touch user memory unless it explicitly is enabled. In the kernel it should stay AMR_KUAP_BLOCKED. While returning to userspace just before RFI, kernel should restore the user AMR value back. Looks like GENERIC_ENTRY might be treating arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare() as the last architecture step before returning to userspace. commit bee25f97ad24 ("powerpc: Enable GENERIC_ENTRY feature") therefore called kuap_user_restore() from that hook. But on PowerPC that is too early. After irqentry_exit() / syscall_exit_to_user_mode() we still run platform specific exit routines. e.g. code snippets showing both exception handling and system call handling as the callers of function arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare() which does kuap_user_restore(). The below path shows that calling kuap_user_restore() is too early when called from arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare(). Exception handling in exceptions-64s.S ======================================= bl CFUNC(do_page_fault) ..DEFINE_INTERRUPT_HANDLER_ASYNC(do_page_fault) arch_interrupt_async_enter_prepare(regs); state = irqentry_enter(regs); instrumentation_begin(); irq_enter_rcu(); handler(regs); nap_adjust_return(regs); irq_exit_rcu(); instrumentation_end(); arch_interrupt_async_exit_prepare(regs); irqentry_exit(regs, state); CR: 44000804 XER: 20040000 interrupt_exit_user_prepare+0x1a0/0x1c0 interrupt_return_srr_user+0x8/0x12c
Grounded briefings
Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.
Executive
CVE-2026-98396 is a high public vulnerability record for this product. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.
System administrator
Identify whether this product is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: Kernel (7.2.0 → 7.2.7). Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.
Security analyst
Signals on file: EPSS 0.2%. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Sources contributing to this record: cve_org, epss, osv, tenable. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.
Exploitation and remediation
Exploitation evidence
Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV.
Patch and remediation
No required-action text is stored yet. Use the vendor or CERT links in Sources for patch availability.
Safe detection guidance
Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Oct 14, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Detected
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc: Do not restore KUAP in arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare() KUAP means kernel cannot touch user memory unless it explicitly is enabled. In the kernel it should stay AMR_KUAP_BLOCKED. While returning to userspace just before RFI, kernel should restore the user AMR value back. Looks like GENERIC_ENTRY might be treating arch_exi
Oct 15, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Fix available
Kernel fixed in 7.2.7
Oct 15, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Fix available
Kernel fixed in 7.2.7
Oct 15, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Updated
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc: Do not restore KUAP in arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare() KUAP means kernel cannot touch user memory unless it explicitly is enabled. In the kernel it should stay AMR_KUAP_BLOCKED. While returning to userspace just before RFI, kernel should restore the user AMR value back. Looks like GENERIC_ENTRY might be treating arch_exi
Affected
- Linux Kernel7.2.0 → 7.2.7
Sources
- CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-98396
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2026-98396
30-day exploitation probability 0.2%
first.org - OpenSSF OSV / OSV ScannerPackage advisoryCVE-2026-98396
powerpc: Do not restore KUAP in arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare()
osv.dev - Tenable CVE DatabaseVulnerability recordCVE-2026-98396
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc: Do not restore KUAP in arch_exit_to_user_mode_prepare() KUAP means kernel cannot touch user memory unless it explicitly is enabled. In the kernel it should stay AMR_KUAP_BLOCKED. While returning to userspace just before RFI, kernel should restore the user AMR value back. Looks like GENERIC_ENTRY might be treating arch_exi
tenable.com