---
title: "CVE-2026-80961: Linux Kernel dm-pcache - Information Disclosure"
description: "Linux kernel dm-pcache contains an out-of-bounds read caused by improper validation of kset key_num and intra-segment bounds in cache_key_decode(), letting attackers with CAP_SYS_ADMIN leak adjacent persistent memory to user space, exploit requires CAP_SYS_ADMIN privilege."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-80961/
---

# CVE-2026-80961 Linux Kernel dm-pcache - Information Disclosure

Linux kernel dm-pcache contains an out-of-bounds read caused by improper validation of kset key\_num and intra-segment bounds in cache\_key\_decode(), letting attackers with CAP\_SYS\_ADMIN leak adjacent persistent memory to user space, exploit requires CAP\_SYS\_ADMIN privilege.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

EPSS

0.17% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80961)

## Details

Type

Information Disclosure

Impact

Information Disclosure

CVSS vector

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

Published

11 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for dm-pcache validation.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80961](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80961)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5ac38f4b4862fad6e7270fde5c3356a822ce74ca](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5ac38f4b4862fad6e7270fde5c3356a822ce74ca)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d8caf96040a06096276ab72f5e1e8547c014c564](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d8caf96040a06096276ab72f5e1e8547c014c564)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f11deb032fd84081e7831cffcba895d893054a22](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f11deb032fd84081e7831cffcba895d893054a22)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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