CVE-2026-99017 — HIGH (7.0)

Vulnerability Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: riscv: errata: select RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY for THEAD GHOSTWRITE errata_probe_ghostwrite() only marks the CPU as vulnerable when it is called at the RISCV_ALTERNATIVES_EARLY_BOOT stage, and the mitigation in ghostwrite_enable_mitigation() only takes effect if the vulnerable state was recorded before the boot alternatives are patched. The early boot stage is only executed when CONFIG_RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY is enabled, which currently is only selected by ERRATA_THEAD_MAE. In a kernel built with ERRATA_THEAD_GHOSTWRITE=y but ERRATA_THEAD_MAE=n, the early alternatives never run, so ghostwrite_state is never set to VULNERABLE: ghostwrite_enable_mitigation() returns false, xtheadvector remains enabled, and sysfs reports "Not affected" on a vulnerable T-Head C9xx CPU. Select RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY from ERRATA_THEAD_GHOSTWRITE so that the vulnerability is detected in the early boot stage and the default mitigation is applied.

CVSS Score

7.0

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector

LOCAL

Attack Complexity

HIGH

Privileges Required

LOW

User Interaction

NONE

Scope

UNCHANGED

Confidentiality

HIGH

Integrity

HIGH

Availability

HIGH

References

FAQ

What is CVE-2026-99017?

CVE-2026-99017 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.0 (HIGH). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: riscv: errata: select RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY for THEAD GHOSTWRITE errata_probe_ghostwrite() only marks the CPU as vulnerable when...

How severe is CVE-2026-99017?

CVE-2026-99017 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.0/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.

Is there a patch for CVE-2026-99017?

Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.