CVE-2026-23162

Kernel memory corruption via NVM initialization double-free

Published Feb 14, 2026 · Updated Feb 14, 2026

A double-free in the Xe NVM initialization path in Linux Kernel 6.17 through 6.18.8 corrupts kernel memory during failed device probe. After initialization assigns release ownership to xe_nvm_release_dev(), the add-failure path invokes that callback and then frees the same nvm allocation again. The failure is kernel-internal and not attacker-influenceable; reaching the path through PCI device rebind requires real root privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A double-free in the Xe NVM initialization path in Linux Kernel 6.17 through 6.18.8 corrupts kernel memory during failed device probe. After initialization assigns release ownership to xe_nvm_release_dev(), the add-failure path invokes that callback and then frees the same nvm allocation again. The failure is kernel-internal and not attacker-influenceable; reaching the path through PCI device rebind requires real root privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-23162
Published
Feb 14, 2026
Updated
Feb 14, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-415
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 14, 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=6.17
  2. Affected versionversion=7926ba2143d8fef40bb940232818c7363e33598c <32887d8e4bc0696b3cb6c5915a42b39cfd3434f4
  3. Affected versionversion=7926ba2143d8fef40bb940232818c7363e33598c <8a44241b0b83a6047c5448da1fff03fcc29496b5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=6.17; version=7926ba2143d8fef40bb940232818c7363e33598c <32887d8e4bc0696b3cb6c5915a42b39cfd3434f4; version=7926ba2143d8fef40bb940232818c7363e33598c <8a44241b0b83a6047c5448da1fff03fcc29496b5

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-415Double Free

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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