Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9 gpio devm_kcalloc 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 classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9. This affects the function devm_kcalloc of the component gpio. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-23218. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function devm_kcalloc of the component gpio. 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. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gpio: loongson-64bit: Fix incorrect NULL check after devm_kcalloc() Fix incorrect NULL check in loongson_gpio_init_irqchip(). The function checks chip->parent instead of chip->irq.parents.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-23218 since 01/13/2026. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 299430 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23218), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.18.10 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e71e3fa90a15134113f61343392e887cd1f4bf7c/e34f77b09080c86c929153e2a72da26b4f8947ff 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 (299430) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0462). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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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

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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: 299430
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23218

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.10
Patch: e71e3fa90a15134113f61343392e887cd1f4bf7c/e34f77b09080c86c929153e2a72da26b4f8947ff

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
02/18/2026 +36 days Advisory disclosed
02/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/19/2026 +29 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23218 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23218
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-346541
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0462 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/18/2026 17:00
Updated: 03/19/2026 08:39
Changes: 02/18/2026 17:00 (59), 02/20/2026 00:58 (7), 02/20/2026 02:22 (2), 03/19/2026 08:39 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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