---
title: "CVE-2026-89961: Linux Kernel - Memory Management Logic Error"
description: "Linux kernel contains a logic error in powerpc/mm vmemmap population caused by incorrect addr_pfn tracking in compound pages, letting the system incorrectly map head/tail pages, exploit requires kernel-level access."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-89961/
---

# CVE-2026-89961 Linux Kernel - Memory Management Logic Error

Linux kernel contains a logic error in powerpc/mm vmemmap population caused by incorrect addr\_pfn tracking in compound pages, letting the system incorrectly map head/tail pages, exploit requires kernel-level access.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

EPSS

0.18% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89961)

## Details

Type

Memory Management Logic Error

Impact

Denial Of Service, Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

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

Published

16 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for addr\_pfn tracking in compound vmemmap population.

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-2026-89961](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89961)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7968852a7ca3ce81477ec5b4494a28d612f35a97](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7968852a7ca3ce81477ec5b4494a28d612f35a97)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89a4ae32764172468dea303eb6ae90fe6c859712](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89a4ae32764172468dea303eb6ae90fe6c859712)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9c914b7a0bd18834505c65f22225ce22c152b2d9](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9c914b7a0bd18834505c65f22225ce22c152b2d9)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b96be860673f9fbbf12cdadb0b25fc4d6d4d207f](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b96be860673f9fbbf12cdadb0b25fc4d6d4d207f)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e163c7184acf36ac20a248498f4a16016057ca01](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e163c7184acf36ac20a248498f4a16016057ca01)

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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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