Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.5 nvme-pci nvme_init_hctx_common double free

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4.2	$0-$5k	0.00-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as problematic has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.5. This issue affects the function nvme_init_hctx_common of the component nvme-pci. The manipulation leads to double free. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-90233. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.5 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function nvme_init_hctx_common of the component nvme-pci. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a double free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-415. The product calls free() twice on the same memory address, potentially leading to modification of unexpected memory locations. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-pci: release descriptor pools on probe failure The per-NUMA-node descriptor DMA pools are created lazily from nvme_init_hctx_common() once the admin tag set is allocated, but they are only destroyed in nvme_remove() via nvme_release_descriptor_pools(). Any probe failure after the admin tag set has been allocated unwinds through the out_disable label and nvme_pci_free_ctrl(), neither of which releases the pools, leaking the dma_pool objects. Release the descriptor pools in the out_disable error path. It must not be added to nvme_pci_free_ctrl(), as that would double-free against nvme_remove() on the normal teardown path.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-90233 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploitation needs additional levels of successful authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading to version 6.18.52, 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch c25b6b28a35f9e36ce5dd6da5905bcddb2128707/79fb405966edb5065234440d94cc75bfd7b01f41/cb144c2f67128abfa5c7ba33318617d19f192156 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.18.4
• 6.18.5
• 6.18.6
• 6.18.7
• 6.18.8
• 6.18.9
• 6.18.10
• 6.18.11
• 6.18.12
• 6.18.13
• 6.18.14
• 6.18.15
• 6.18.16
• 6.18.17
• 6.18.18
• 6.18.19
• 6.18.20
• 6.18.21
• 6.18.22
• 6.18.23
• 6.18.24
• 6.18.25
• 6.18.26
• 6.18.27
• 6.18.28
• 6.18.29
• 6.18.30
• 6.18.31
• 6.18.32
• 6.18.33
• 6.18.34
• 6.18.35
• 6.18.36
• 6.18.37
• 6.18.38
• 6.18.39
• 6.18.40
• 6.18.41
• 6.18.42
• 6.18.43
• 6.18.44
• 6.18.45
• 6.18.46
• 6.18.47
• 6.18.48
• 6.18.49
• 6.18.50
• 6.18.51
• 7.2.0
• 7.2.1
• 7.2.2
• 7.2.3
• 7.2.4
• 7.2.5

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.2

VulDB Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Temp Score: 4.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Double free
CWE: CWE-415 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1
Patch: c25b6b28a35f9e36ce5dd6da5905bcddb2128707/79fb405966edb5065234440d94cc75bfd7b01f41/cb144c2f67128abfa5c7ba33318617d19f192156

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-2026-90233 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-90233
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-406751

Entryinfo

Created: 09/17/2026 20:55
Changes: 09/17/2026 20:55 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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Discussion

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