CVE-2026-22998: Linux kernel · nvme-tcp: fix NULL pointer dereferences in nvmet_tcp_build_pdu_iovec
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 55% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1106.115~20.04.1 +70
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Jan 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been released in updated Linux kernel versions. Users should apply the latest kernel updates provided by their distribution, such as the Ubuntu security notice USN-8162-1 for NVIDIA Tegra systems. After updating, a system reboot is required to apply the changes. Note that due to ABI changes, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's nvme-tcp driver (CVE-2026-22998) could cause NULL pointer dereferences leading to kernel panic. This happens when the nvmet_tcp_build_pdu_iovec() function dereferences uninitialized command data structures without proper NULL checks. The issue can be triggered by sending specific H2C_DATA PDUs prematurely or with invalid command states. The vulnerability has been fixed in updated Linux kernel versions.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-22998 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-22998 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/32b63acd78f577b332d976aa06b56e70d054cbba (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/32b63acd78f577b332d976aa06b56e70d054cbba (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/374b095e265fa27465f34780e0eb162ff1bef913 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3def5243150716be86599c2a1767c29c68838b6d (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8162-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8186-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8187-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8188-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8243-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8275-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8278-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8289-1 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22998 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/76abc83a9d25593c2b7613c549413079c14a4686 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d75570002929d20e40110d6b03e46202c9d1bc7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/baabe43a0edefac8cd7b981ff87f967f6034dafe (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fdecd3b6aac10d5a18d0dc500fe57f8648b66cd4 (opens in a new tab)