Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc1 nvmet-auth nvmet_auth_sq_free race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as very critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc1. Affected by this issue is the function nvmet_auth_sq_free of the component nvmet-auth. Performing a manipulation results in race condition. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-89970. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc1. This affects the function nvmet_auth_sq_free of the component nvmet-auth. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-362. The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvmet-auth: Synchronize timeout work during SQ teardown nvmet_auth_sq_free() cancels auth_expired_work with cancel_delayed_work(). If the work has already started, cancellation does not wait for the callback. Transport teardown can consequently free or reuse the queue containing struct nvmet_sq while nvmet_auth_expired_work() still accesses that SQ. Add a teardown-specific helper that synchronously drains the delayed work before freeing authentication state, and use it from nvmet_sq_destroy(). Keep the non-synchronous helper for in-band authentication state cleanup, where the SQ owner remains alive.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-89970 since 09/11/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/16/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.1.188, 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.51, 7.2.5 or 7.3-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 664022fa1c93f4eba09ef5ee02411b9709dd7a93/c3c126a6142a1335bc8c34a5607c39cf01daf295/c17c87bde6d6f5252a6a6f0a94b2430164aa28d5/7555ddd60af72df2862dd8f9b730a9848577edda/eb4f9127a2b8a152743f1ee597627e2f69cb54fe/eaa948c0e19b1bb2d93262207bca0c3d19cc3406 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Race condition
CWE: CWE-362
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.188/6.6.157/6.12.110/6.18.51/7.2.5/7.3-rc2
Patch: 664022fa1c93f4eba09ef5ee02411b9709dd7a93/c3c126a6142a1335bc8c34a5607c39cf01daf295/c17c87bde6d6f5252a6a6f0a94b2430164aa28d5/7555ddd60af72df2862dd8f9b730a9848577edda/eb4f9127a2b8a152743f1ee597627e2f69cb54fe/eaa948c0e19b1bb2d93262207bca0c3d19cc3406

Timelineinfo

09/11/2026 CVE reserved
09/16/2026 +5 days Advisory disclosed
09/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-89970 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-89970
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-405813

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2026 15:07
Changes: 09/16/2026 15:07 (59)
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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