# CVE-2026-99017: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  riscv: errata: select RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY fo...

CVE-2026-99017 is fixed in linux on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-99017 (version 7.2.11-1), released October 24, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-99017
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 7.0 (high)
- EPSS: 0.0016
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Oct 23, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  riscv: errata: select RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY for THEAD GHOSTWRITE  errata_probe_ghostwrite() only marks the CPU as vulnerable when it is called at the RISCV_ALTERNATIVES_EARLY_BOOT stage, and the mitigation in ghostwrite_enable_mitigation() only takes effect if the vulnerable state was recorded before the boot alternatives are patched.  The early boot stage is only executed when CONFIG_RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY is enabled, which currently is only selected by ERRATA_THEAD_MAE. In a kernel built with ERRATA_THEAD_GHOSTWRITE=y but ERRATA_THEAD_MAE=n, the early alternatives never run, so ghostwrite_state is never set to VULNERABLE: ghostwrite_enable_mitigation() returns false, xtheadvector remains enabled, and sysfs reports "Not affected" on a vulnerable T-Head C9xx CPU.  Select RISCV_ALTERNATIVE_EARLY from ERRATA_THEAD_GHOSTWRITE so that the vulnerability is detected in the early boot stage and the default mitigation is applied.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.2.11-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-99017](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-99017.md) | Oct 24, 2026 |

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