In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
perf/x86/intel: Prevent drain_pebs() reentry
The PEBS buffer is shared by all events on a CPU, so drain_pebs() must
not be reentered. If so, one instance may observe stale buffer state and
potentially access out-of-bound memory.
Most invocations happen in NMI context, which naturally prevents reentry.
However, drain_pebs() is also reachable from process context via
intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer().
In those paths, the PMU is often already disabled, but not guaranteed.
For example, __intel_pmu_pebs_disable() only disables the target counter,
so other active counters can still raise a PMI and interrupt an in-flight
drain_pebs(). Here is an example,
__perf_addr_filters_adjust()
perf_event_stop()
__perf_event_stop()
x86_pmu_stop() (event->pmu->stop)
intel_pmu_disable_event()
intel_pmu_pebs_disable()
__intel_pmu_pebs_disable()
intel_pmu_drain_large_pebs()
intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer()
Introduce __intel_pmu_quiesce() and __intel_pmu_resume() helpers and
use them in intel_pmu_drain_large_pebs() to disable the full PMU
around the intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer() call, preventing reentry.
Also add a warning in intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer() when the full PMU is
not disabled.
perf/x86/intel: Prevent drain_pebs() reentry
The PEBS buffer is shared by all events on a CPU, so drain_pebs() must
not be reentered. If so, one instance may observe stale buffer state and
potentially access out-of-bound memory.
Most invocations happen in NMI context, which naturally prevents reentry.
However, drain_pebs() is also reachable from process context via
intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer().
In those paths, the PMU is often already disabled, but not guaranteed.
For example, __intel_pmu_pebs_disable() only disables the target counter,
so other active counters can still raise a PMI and interrupt an in-flight
drain_pebs(). Here is an example,
__perf_addr_filters_adjust()
perf_event_stop()
__perf_event_stop()
x86_pmu_stop() (event->pmu->stop)
intel_pmu_disable_event()
intel_pmu_pebs_disable()
__intel_pmu_pebs_disable()
intel_pmu_drain_large_pebs()
intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer()
Introduce __intel_pmu_quiesce() and __intel_pmu_resume() helpers and
use them in intel_pmu_drain_large_pebs() to disable the full PMU
around the intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer() call, preventing reentry.
Also add a warning in intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer() when the full PMU is
not disabled.
Advisories
No advisories yet.
Fixes
Solution
No solution given by the vendor.
Workaround
No workaround given by the vendor.
References
History
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86/intel: Prevent drain_pebs() reentry The PEBS buffer is shared by all events on a CPU, so drain_pebs() must not be reentered. If so, one instance may observe stale buffer state and potentially access out-of-bound memory. Most invocations happen in NMI context, which naturally prevents reentry. However, drain_pebs() is also reachable from process context via intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer(). In those paths, the PMU is often already disabled, but not guaranteed. For example, __intel_pmu_pebs_disable() only disables the target counter, so other active counters can still raise a PMI and interrupt an in-flight drain_pebs(). Here is an example, __perf_addr_filters_adjust() perf_event_stop() __perf_event_stop() x86_pmu_stop() (event->pmu->stop) intel_pmu_disable_event() intel_pmu_pebs_disable() __intel_pmu_pebs_disable() intel_pmu_drain_large_pebs() intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer() Introduce __intel_pmu_quiesce() and __intel_pmu_resume() helpers and use them in intel_pmu_drain_large_pebs() to disable the full PMU around the intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer() call, preventing reentry. Also add a warning in intel_pmu_drain_pebs_buffer() when the full PMU is not disabled. | |
| Title | perf/x86/intel: Prevent drain_pebs() reentry | |
| First Time appeared |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
|
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | |
| Vendors & Products |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
|
| References |
|
Projects
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: Linux
Published:
Updated: 2026-09-25T10:23:04.943Z
Reserved: 2026-09-25T10:18:58.206Z
Link: CVE-2026-97960
No data.
Status : Received
Published: 2026-09-25T11:17:23.720
Modified: 2026-09-25T11:17:23.720
Link: CVE-2026-97960
No data.
OpenCVE Enrichment
No data.
Weaknesses
No weakness.