Linux Kernel up to 6.12.109/6.18.51/7.2.5 Memory Management Initialization mm/mm_init.c free_area_init_core_hotplug per_cpu_nodestats null pointer dereference

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-$5k0.40+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.109/6.18.51/7.2.5. The impacted element is the function free_area_init_core_hotplug of the file mm/mm_init.c of the component Memory Management Initialization. This manipulation of the argument per_cpu_nodestats causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-93172. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.109/6.18.51/7.2.5. Affected by this vulnerability is the function free_area_init_core_hotplug of the file mm/mm_init.c of the component Memory Management Initialization. The manipulation of the argument per_cpu_nodestats with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/mm_init: handle alloc_percpu failure in free_area_init_core_hotplug We miss a failed allocation check for pgdat->per_cpu_nodestats, which results in a NULL deref when we offset into the per-cpu area. Propagate -ENOMEM up the stack and leave per_cpu_nodestats pointing at boot_nodestats so a later online can retry the allocation. hotadd_init_pgdat() returns NULL on failure, which __try_online_node() already maps to -ENOMEM. On failure nothing needs to be unwound: - the node is never marked online - per_cpu_nodestats is left pointing at boot_nodestats - __add_memory_resource() cleans up pending memblock resources - later online attempts retry the per_cpu_nodestats allocation

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-93172 since 09/17/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched 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 09/17/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.110, 6.18.52, 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 4cc5caef9a8d1894dfa31d84a0daa0ac1437dadc/bc3b5e6519b8df22d622a03eab6772784da97db4/1017fe1c7f48e511c5a680e3057005daaff2f3a2/2ebce860bdd7ae5e13002811bc9bbbf33fcfc221 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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: 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 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1
Patch: 4cc5caef9a8d1894dfa31d84a0daa0ac1437dadc/bc3b5e6519b8df22d622a03eab6772784da97db4/1017fe1c7f48e511c5a680e3057005daaff2f3a2/2ebce860bdd7ae5e13002811bc9bbbf33fcfc221

Timelineinfo

09/17/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/17/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
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-2026-93172 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-93172
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-407161

Entryinfo

Created: 09/17/2026 23:30
Changes: 09/17/2026 23:30 (61)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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