CVE-2026-93254

arm64: entry: Avoid unnecessary local_irq_disable() on kernel exit

Published Sep 24, 2026 CVSS n/a EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

arm64: entry: Avoid unnecessary local_irq_disable() on kernel exit

Currently, when exiting to kernel mode, we attempt involuntary
preemption. The preemption logic expects IRQs to be disabled, which is
why we call local_irq_disable() before attempting preemption.

However, depending on the context, local_irq_disable() may be
unnecessary:

- __el1_irq(), the non-NMI EL1 IRQ path, already has IRQs disabled, so
local_irq_disable() is redundant.

- irqentry_exit_to_kernel_mode_preempt() immediately returns when
exiting from an NMI-like context, so calling local_irq_disable()
beforehand is unnecessary work.

Furthermore, it confuses the pNMI state tracking when we are in a
context with interrupts disabled and the GIC_PRIO_PSR_I_SET bit is set
in the PMR, leading to a warning when
CONFIG_ARM64_DEBUG_PRIORITY_MASKING=y:

WARNING: ./arch/arm64/include/asm/irqflags.h:63 at arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode+0xb8/0xc0, CPU#40: retsnoop/31805
CPU: 40 UID: 0 PID: 31805 Comm: retsnoop Not tainted 7.2.0-rc6-next-20260805 #7 PREEMPTLAZY
pstate: 234013c9 (nzCv DAIF +PAN -UAO +TCO +DIT +SSBS BTYPE=--)
pc : arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:63)
lr : el1_abort (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:323)
pmr: 000000f0
Call trace:
arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:63) (P)
el1_abort (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:323)
el1h_64_sync_handler (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:449)
el1h_64_sync (arch/arm64/kernel/entry.S:589)
[...]

Split arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode() into preempt, non-preempt, and
dispatch parts so that we can avoid this extra work where it is not
needed and avoid breaking the pNMI tracking logic.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

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History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-665
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm64: entry: Avoid unnecessary local_irq_disable() on kernel exit Currently, when exiting to kernel mode, we attempt involuntary preemption. The preemption logic expects IRQs to be disabled, which is why we call local_irq_disable() before attempting preemption. However, depending on the context, local_irq_disable() may be unnecessary: - __el1_irq(), the non-NMI EL1 IRQ path, already has IRQs disabled, so local_irq_disable() is redundant. - irqentry_exit_to_kernel_mode_preempt() immediately returns when exiting from an NMI-like context, so calling local_irq_disable() beforehand is unnecessary work. Furthermore, it confuses the pNMI state tracking when we are in a context with interrupts disabled and the GIC_PRIO_PSR_I_SET bit is set in the PMR, leading to a warning when CONFIG_ARM64_DEBUG_PRIORITY_MASKING=y: WARNING: ./arch/arm64/include/asm/irqflags.h:63 at arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode+0xb8/0xc0, CPU#40: retsnoop/31805 CPU: 40 UID: 0 PID: 31805 Comm: retsnoop Not tainted 7.2.0-rc6-next-20260805 #7 PREEMPTLAZY pstate: 234013c9 (nzCv DAIF +PAN -UAO +TCO +DIT +SSBS BTYPE=--) pc : arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:63) lr : el1_abort (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:323) pmr: 000000f0 Call trace: arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:63) (P) el1_abort (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:323) el1h_64_sync_handler (arch/arm64/kernel/entry-common.c:449) el1h_64_sync (arch/arm64/kernel/entry.S:589) [...] Split arm64_exit_to_kernel_mode() into preempt, non-preempt, and dispatch parts so that we can avoid this extra work where it is not needed and avoid breaking the pNMI tracking logic.
Title arm64: entry: Avoid unnecessary local_irq_disable() on kernel exit
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 9:08 AM
Reserved
Sep 17, 2026, 4:02 PM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 24, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:17 AM