CVE-2026-22998

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-tcp: fix NULL pointer dereferences in nvmet_tcp_build_pdu_iovec Commit efa56305908b ("nvmet-tcp: Fix a kernel panic when host sends an invalid H2C PDU length") added ttag bounds checking and data_offset validation in nvmet_tcp_handle_h2c_data_pdu(), but it did not validate whether the command's data structures (cmd->req.sg and cmd->iov) have been properly initialized before processing H2C_DATA PDUs. The nvmet_tcp_build_pdu_iovec() function dereferences these pointers without NULL checks. This can be triggered by sending H2C_DATA PDU immediately after the ICREQ/ICRESP handshake, before sending a CONNECT command or NVMe write command. Attack vectors that trigger NULL pointer dereferences: 1. H2C_DATA PDU sent before CONNECT → both pointers NULL 2. H2C_DATA PDU for READ command → cmd->req.sg allocated, cmd->iov NULL 3. H2C_DATA PDU for uninitialized command slot → both pointers NULL The fix validates both cmd->req.sg and cmd->iov before calling nvmet_tcp_build_pdu_iovec(). Both checks are required because: - Uninitialized commands: both NULL - READ commands: cmd->req.sg allocated, cmd->iov NULL - WRITE commands: both allocated

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-01-25
Last modified 2026-04-27
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.5

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2026-22998 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability

What is NULL Pointer Dereference?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.10.209, 5.15.148, 6.1.75, 6.6.14, 5.4.268, 6.7.2, 6.8 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162, 6.6.122, 6.12.67, 6.18.7, 6.19 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.10.209 ≥ 5.15.148 ≥ 6.1.75 ≥ 6.6.14 ≥ 5.4.268 ≥ 6.7.2 ≥ 6.8
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.249 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.199 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.162 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.122 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.67 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.7 6.18.x ✓ 6.19

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-22998 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

7 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-22998?

    CVE-2026-22998 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.10.209 onward and has been patched in 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162 and others. CVE-2026-22998 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-22998?

    CVE-2026-22998 has a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-22998?

    Yes — CVE-2026-22998 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.10.209 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-22998 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-22998 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?

    The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →

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