Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc4 vortex_probe1 null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc4. Affected is the function vortex_probe1. Such manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-23020. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc4. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function vortex_probe1. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: 3com: 3c59x: fix possible null dereference in vortex_probe1() pdev can be null and free_ring: can be called in 1297 with a null pdev.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-23020 since 01/13/2026. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 297482 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23020), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.10.248, 5.15.198, 6.1.161, 6.6.121, 6.12.66, 6.18.6 or 6.19-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 053ac9e37eee435e999277c0f1ef890dad6064bf/6cff14b831dbdb32675b4c7904dcc3eeeaf47e9d/606872c8e8bf96066730f6a2317502c5633c37f1/28b2a805609699be7b90020ae7dccfb234be1ceb/2f05f7737e16d9a40038cc1c38a96a3f7964898b/d82796a57cc0dac1dbef19d913c8f02a8cc7b1a7/a4e305ed60f7c41bbf9aabc16dd75267194e0de3 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (297482), EUVD (EUVD-2026-5074) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0280). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 297482
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23020

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.248/5.15.198/6.1.161/6.6.121/6.12.66/6.18.6/6.19-rc5
Patch: 053ac9e37eee435e999277c0f1ef890dad6064bf/6cff14b831dbdb32675b4c7904dcc3eeeaf47e9d/606872c8e8bf96066730f6a2317502c5633c37f1/28b2a805609699be7b90020ae7dccfb234be1ceb/2f05f7737e16d9a40038cc1c38a96a3f7964898b/d82796a57cc0dac1dbef19d913c8f02a8cc7b1a7/a4e305ed60f7c41bbf9aabc16dd75267194e0de3

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
01/31/2026 +18 days Advisory disclosed
01/31/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/25/2026 +53 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23020 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23020
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-343628
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0280 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 01/31/2026 15:28
Updated: 03/25/2026 18:03
Changes: 01/31/2026 15:28 (58), 02/01/2026 03:33 (1), 02/01/2026 03:51 (2), 02/02/2026 18:12 (7), 03/25/2026 18:03 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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