# CVE-2026-97423: Linux kernel CXL region array index validation missing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97423-in-the-linux-kernel-the-following-vulnerability-has-been-resolved  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-24. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-97423 · Severity: info · Published 2026-09-24

The Linux kernel's CXL (Compute Express Link) memory fabric subsystem can crash or become unresponsive if a partition index fails to initialize. When memory partitions are not properly set up, the code attempts to read from an invalid array location, causing a kernel oops or denial of service on systems using CXL-connected memory.

Vendors: [Linux Foundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/linux-foundation).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-97423 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-97423 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-97423?** Informational severity, published 24 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Linux Foundation Linux 5.14 and later, fixed before 6.12.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-97423?** A patch was published on 2026-06-04: Commit 16329b510f76e5b824e05bf8add8b29850f1f16f merged Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-97423 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-97423?** Check whether you run Linux Foundation Linux at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The construct_region() function in drivers/cxl/core/region.c reads cxled->part without validating it for negative values, then uses it to index cxlds->part[] array. If partition initialization fails, part remains -1, causing an out-of-bounds array access. A simple bounds check returning -EBUSY when part < 0 prevents the crash. This check was accidentally removed during a merge.

## Affected products

- Linux Foundation Linux 5.14 and later, fixed before 6.12

## Timeline

- 2026-04-14: other: Fix authored by Koba Ko
- 2026-06-04: patched: Commit 16329b510f76e5b824e05bf8add8b29850f1f16f merged
- 2026-09-24: disclosed: CVE-2026-97423 published

## References

- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/06322da06116f1ee52271dd4d84dc69580087df7](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/06322da06116f1ee52271dd4d84dc69580087df7)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/16329b510f76e5b824e05bf8add8b29850f1f16f](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/16329b510f76e5b824e05bf8add8b29850f1f16f)