CVE-2026-90020: Linux kernel · USB: gadget: fix NULL pointer dereference in gadget_dev_ioctl()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 11% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 16 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.
AI-suggested
A fix for this vulnerability has been implemented in the Linux kernel by modifying gadget_dev_ioctl() to read the gadget pointer while holding the device lock. Users should apply the official kernel updates that include this fix. Patch status is confirmed resolved in the referenced versions. No additional mitigation is indicated.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel USB gadget subsystem could cause a NULL pointer dereference due to improper locking in the gadget_dev_ioctl() function. This occurs because the gadget pointer is read before acquiring the device lock, allowing a concurrent bind operation to change device state and leave the pointer stale. The issue has been resolved by ensuring the gadget pointer and device state are read consistently while holding the device lock.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-90020 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-90020 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/dd0eed9e165b1a6292f49e622e3dd0b7d99b106d (opens in a new tab)
- msrc.microsoft.com/csaf/vex/2026/msrc_cve-2026-90020.json (opens in a new tab)
- support.microsoft.com/lifecycle (opens in a new tab)
- first.org/cvss (opens in a new tab)