---
id: "CVE-2026-59042"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-59042"]
title: "Linux kernel pKVM: race condition allows out-of-bounds write, local privilege escalation"
severity: "unknown"
cvss: null
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["arm64", "infrastructure", "kvm", "linux-kernel", "pkvm"]
not_affected_if: ["unknown"]
published_at: "2026-11-02T20:17:57+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-02T20:35:37+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-02T20:36:50+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-59042", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-02T20:35:37+00:00"}]
---

# Linux kernel pKVM: race condition allows out-of-bounds write, local privilege escalation

A race condition in the pKVM page-conversion function __pkvm_pages_to_ppages in mmu.c allows an out-of-bounds write. A local user with no extra privileges can use it to escalate to higher privileges.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Timeline

- 2026-11-02T20:35:37+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-59042

## From the sources

In __pkvm_pages_to_ppages of mmu.c, there is a possible out-of-bounds write due to a race condition. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_