Linux Kernel up to 6.6.156/6.12.109/6.18.51/7.2.5 vdpa_sim vdpasim_create null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as problematic has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.156/6.12.109/6.18.51/7.2.5. This affects the function vdpasim_create of the component vdpa_sim. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-90130. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.156/6.12.109/6.18.51/7.2.5. Affected is the function vdpasim_create of the component vdpa_sim. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vdpa_sim: fix cleanup after worker creation failure vdpasim_create() leaves vdpasim->worker as an ERR_PTR when kthread_run_worker() fails. The error path then drops the device reference, which releases the partially initialized simulator. vdpasim_free() unconditionally passes the worker pointer to kthread_destroy_worker(), so the ERR_PTR is dereferenced and can trigger a general protection fault. Store the worker error, clear the pointer, and only clean up the worker when it was successfully initialized. Also make the release path tolerate partially initialized objects by guarding virtqueue and IOTLB cleanup, since the same release path can be reached from other initialization failures. I found this bug myself, though the patch was written with AI assistance.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-90130 since 09/11/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation needs additional levels of successful authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.52, 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch feafa109f031ed111f7f968e447c13985db498e0/05ddc94afb69e36df59e88cfa9e5c7bf9d10cfd0/68b726b3a01fb02a68843781b17d05ef3d759987/ca6f3fa599cb764518df595368b743f856fdb516/bd670e5dfd2b01fd9692f61fa1456434c54026a4 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.7

VulDB Base Score: 4.9
VulDB Temp Score: 4.7
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: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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 6.6.157/6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1
Patch: feafa109f031ed111f7f968e447c13985db498e0/05ddc94afb69e36df59e88cfa9e5c7bf9d10cfd0/68b726b3a01fb02a68843781b17d05ef3d759987/ca6f3fa599cb764518df595368b743f856fdb516/bd670e5dfd2b01fd9692f61fa1456434c54026a4

Timelineinfo

09/11/2026 CVE reserved
09/17/2026 +6 days Advisory disclosed
09/17/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/17/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-90130 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-90130
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-406656

Entryinfo

Created: 09/17/2026 19:55
Changes: 09/17/2026 19:55 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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