CVE-2026-23017

Local kernel crash via uninitialized idpf task access

Published Jan 31, 2026 · Updated Jan 31, 2026

NULL pointer dereference in the Linux kernel idpf driver allows local users to trigger a kernel crash after a failed load and reset. When init_task fails during driver load, idpf_vc_core_init leaves service and mailbox tasks running without initialized vports or netdevs. A subsequent hardware reset lets idpf_vc_event_task access those uninitialized resources and crash the kernel; an affected idpf device and failed initialization are required.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.14%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

NULL pointer dereference in the Linux kernel idpf driver allows local users to trigger a kernel crash after a failed load and reset. When init_task fails during driver load, idpf_vc_core_init leaves service and mailbox tasks running without initialized vports or netdevs. A subsequent hardware reset lets idpf_vc_event_task access those uninitialized resources and crash the kernel; an affected idpf device and failed initialization are required.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-23017
Published
Jan 31, 2026
Updated
Jan 31, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-476, T1499
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 31, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 31, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34 <4d792219fe6f891b5b557a607ac8a0a14eda6e38
  2. Affected versionversion=0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34 <a514c374edcd33581cdcccf8faa7cc606a600319
  3. Affected versionversion=6.7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34 <4d792219fe6f891b5b557a607ac8a0a14eda6e38; version=0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34 <a514c374edcd33581cdcccf8faa7cc606a600319; version=6.7

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-476NULL Pointer Dereference
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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