CVE-2026-22998: Linux kernel · nvme-tcp: fix NULL pointer dereferences in nvmet_tcp_build_pdu_iovec
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in fdecd3b6aac10d5a18d0dc500fe57f8648b66cd4 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:30 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.
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation and no public proof of concept
- Automatable
- Attackers can reliably automate steps 1–4 of the kill chain
- Technical impact
- Limited control over the software or limited information exposure
CISA SSVC assessment, 2026-06-16.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in fdecd3b6aac10d5a18d0dc500fe57f8648b66cd4, baabe43a0edefac8cd7b981ff87f967f6034dafe, 374b095e265fa27465f34780e0eb162ff1bef913 +10
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 |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in Linux kernel versions 5.15.199, 6.1.162, 6.6.122, 6.8, and others. Users and administrators should upgrade to these fixed versions or later to mitigate the vulnerability. No other mitigation or workaround is indicated.
Description
CVE-2026-22998 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's nvme-tcp subsystem that causes NULL pointer dereferences leading to kernel panic. The flaw occurs because the nvmet_tcp_build_pdu_iovec() function dereferences uninitialized pointers without NULL checks when processing H2C_DATA PDUs sent prematurely or for uninitialized commands. This can be triggered by sending H2C_DATA PDUs before a CONNECT command or NVMe write command. The issue affects multiple Linux kernel versions and has been fixed by adding validation checks for these pointers.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/baabe43a0edefac8cd7b981ff87f967f6034dafe (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/fdecd3b6aac10d5a18d0dc500fe57f8648b66cd4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3def5243150716be86599c2a1767c29c68838b6d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/374b095e265fa27465f34780e0eb162ff1bef913 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/32b63acd78f577b332d976aa06b56e70d054cbba (opens in a new tab)