CVE-2026-89481: Linux kernel · nvme-tcp: fix host memory disclosure on R2T for a read command
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 01:01 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 11 Sep 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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-tcp: fix host memory disclosure on R2T for a read command nvme_tcp_handle_r2t() does not check the direction of the request the R2T refers to. A malicious controller can send an R2T for a READ and the host will answer it: nvme_tcp_setup_h2c_data_pdu() builds the H2CData header and nvme_tcp_try_send_data() sends the request's data buffer. That buffer is the READ destination, so its contents go to the controller. The command then completes normally and nothing is logged. Against a test controller that answers every READ with an R2T, a 4096 byte buffered read returned all 4096 bytes, split over two R2Ts. The pages contained stale kernel data, including an array of struct page pointers. Reject an R2T for a request that is not a write.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-89481 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-89481 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/6efbc52237facda35d2d874fe1765bb4839275d8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a0b05145053a5fad1a2ddb4e4d87b07385e63e5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b3d27670c0c890ba7cf1bc3614cab61bde6d25c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6efbc52237facda35d2d874fe1765bb4839275d8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a4c3c7310156493797c920b10d8648c07aa05403 (opens in a new tab)