Kernel Memory Alignment Issue in RISC-V Architecture by Linux Vendor

CVE-2026-80682

What is CVE-2026-80682?

A memory alignment issue exists in the Linux kernel affecting the RISC-V architecture. The flaw occurs when computing vmemmap_start_pfn, as the misalignment between physical address methods and compound page storage leads to potential irregularities in managing memory mapping. Recent commits attempted to align memory mapping according to maximum folio sizes, but discrepancies in unit measurements exposed systems such as QEMU virt. This condition may affect system stability and integrity due to improper spatial alignment of virtual memory maps, necessitating careful scrutiny and potential updates to safeguard against unintended behaviors in memory allocation.

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