CVE-2026-90229: nvme-apple: Destroy the admin queue on removal
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Monitor (action score 29/100)
- The sources we track (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei, GitHub) show no public exploit code or exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 0.17% (FIRST EPSS).
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it. No account or password is required. No user action is required. Special conditions such as timing or configuration are required.
- Fixed version: Linux Linux 215d1682f0bae495f3f9cf692b358116b7a18602, 5f6f4777b7a8676251139dbfbcdec3cb578f0e40, 87d5b9864c8118d26f54de4b66d2bddf2c659272; azl3 kernel 6.6.152.1-1 on Azure Linux 3.0 6.6.157.1-1.
Low priority for now. Upgrade to Linux Linux 215d1682f0bae495f3f9cf692b358116b7a18602, 5f6f4777b7a8676251139dbfbcdec3cb578f0e40, 87d5b9864c8118d26f54de4b66d2bddf2c659272; azl3 kernel 6.6.152.1-1 on Azure Linux 3.0 6.6.157.1-1 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-apple: Destroy the admin queue on removal The admin queue is allocated with blk_mq_alloc_queue() but never destroyed. nvme_free_ctrl() only drops the last reference and blk_mq_exit_queue() and blk_sync_queue() never run: the hctx is never moved to q->unused_hctx_list and the timeout timer and work stay armed on a queue that is about to be freed which will eventually oops inside blk_mq_timeout_work(). This can only be triggered when the controller fails to come up and is then immediately torn down again which is why no one ever ran into this before. Let's just copy what the pcie driver does: unquiesce and destroy the admin queue before nvme_uninit_ctrl(). With this the following WARN followed by a panic no longer happens: WARNING: block/blk-mq.c:4390 at blk_mq_release+0x194/0x238, CPU#4: kworker/u34:4/119 CPU: 4 UID: 0 PID: 119 Comm: kworker/u34:4 Not tainted 7.2.0-rc1-dirty #248 PREEMPT Hardware name: Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) (DT) Workqueue: nvme-wq apple_nvme_remove_dead_ctrl_work pstate: 61400005 (nZCv daif +PAN -UAO -TCO +DIT -SSBS BTYPE=--) pc : blk_mq_release+0x194/0x238 lr : blk_mq_release+0x58/0x238 sp : ffffc000833a3b50 x29: ffffc000833a3b50 x28: ffff80001d0450f8 x27: ffff800020c95200 x26: 0000000000000088 x25: 0000000000000000 x24: ffff800020f36805 x23: 0000000000000000 x22: ffffc00081a86878 x21: ffff800020be9c60 x20: 0000000000000000 x19: ffff800022501698 x18: 000000000000000a x17: 7365757165722066 x16: 666f7265776f7020 x15: 0000000000000000 x14: 0000000000000028 x13: 0000000000004def x12: 0000000000000003 x11: 0000000000000000 x10: 0000000000000000 x9 : ffffc000805b4fc8 x8 : ffffc00081915820 x7 : ffffc00081c4f3c8 x6 : 0000000000000001 x5 : 0000000000000004 x4 : ffff800022498d80 x3 : ffffc000833a3b14 x2 : 0000000000000000 x1 : 0000000000000000 x0 : ffff800022501698 Call trace: blk_mq_release+0x194/0x238 (P) blk_put_queue+0x8c/0xf0 nvme_free_ctrl+0x4c/0x260 device_release+0x44/0x128 kobject_put+0xa0/0x120 put_device+0x1c/0x40 nvme_uninit_ctrl+0x48/0x60 apple_nvme_remove+0x54/0xb0 platform_remove+0x28/0x40 device_remove+0x54/0x98 device_release_driver_internal+ device_release_driver+0x20/0x38 apple_nvme_remove_dead_ctrl_wor process_one_work+0x1f4/0x770 worker_thread+0x1b8/0x360 kthread+0x140/0x160 ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20 irq event stamp: 448 hardirqs last enabled at (447):in_unlock_irqrestore+0x74/0x80 hardirqs last disabled at (448): [<ffffc000811cf5c0>] el1_brk64+0x20/0x60 softirqs last enabled at (0): [ess+0xb28/0x2698 softirqs last disabled at (0): [<0000000000000000>] 0x0 ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000000 Mem abort info: ESR = 0x0000000096000005 EC = 0x25: DABT (current EL), SET = 0, FnV = 0 EA = 0, S1PTW = 0 FSC = 0x05: level 1 translation fault Data abort info: ISV = 0, ISS = 0x00000005, ISS2 = 0x00000000 CM = 0, WnR = 0, TnD = 0, TagA GCS = 0, Overlay = 0, DirtyBit = 0, Xs = 0 [0000000000000000] user address Internal error: Oops: 0000000096000005 [#1] SMP CPU: 7 UID: 0 PID: 54 Comm: kwor 7.2.0-rc1-dirty #248PREEMPT Tainted: [W]=WARN Hardware name: Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) (DT) Workqueue: kblockd blk_mq_timeou pstate: 01400005 (nzcv daif +PAN -UAO -TCO +DIT -SSBS BTYPE=--) pc : percpu_ref_tryget_many.cons lr : percpu_ref_tryget_many.constprop.0+0xc0/0x168 sp : ffffc000829cbce0 x29: ffffc000829cbce0 x28: ffff800020be9f48 x27: ffff800013e503c0 x26: 0000000000000108 x25: 000009c05 x23: 0000000000000000 x22: ffffc000819f5000 x21: ffff800020be9f48 x20: ffff8001deda4808 x19: ffff8000a x17: 00000000580e1fac x16: ffffc00082bbbb7c x15: 0000000000000000 x14: 0000000000000028 x13: 000000001 x11: 0000000000000000 x10: 0000000000000000 x9 : ffffc000829cbc20 x8 : ---truncated---
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 30, 2026
- EPSS
- 0.1% · 6th percentile
- CWE
- —
Report tools
Action score
29
Monitor
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 29 / 40 · 7.4 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 0 / 30 · 0.1%
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- —
- CNA · Linux
- 7.4
- NVD has not scored this yet; the score shown is the CNA’s.
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- No public exploit code on record
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
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Noroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
—
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (Linux). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
Linux Linux
- 5.19affected
- 5bd2927aceba181b84286e00aa2f56e117e699c3 and later · before 97cb6867c9f6de75905b361abfeba136a3d3d120affected · git
- 5bd2927aceba181b84286e00aa2f56e117e699c3 and later · before 5f6f4777b7a8676251139dbfbcdec3cb578f0e40affected · git
- 5bd2927aceba181b84286e00aa2f56e117e699c3 and later · before bf51e306e3dcffd1a63ef09a7a39d28f3578dd2daffected · git
- 5bd2927aceba181b84286e00aa2f56e117e699c3 and later · before 215d1682f0bae495f3f9cf692b358116b7a18602affected · git
- 5bd2927aceba181b84286e00aa2f56e117e699c3 and later · before c11685ee4eedc70f738b117a4a8c0fbe84cd79b3affected · git
- 5bd2927aceba181b84286e00aa2f56e117e699c3 and later · before 87d5b9864c8118d26f54de4b66d2bddf2c659272affected · git
- before 5.19not affected · semver
- 6.1.191 and later · up to and including 6.1.*not affected · semver
- 6.6.157 and later · up to and including 6.6.*not affected · semver
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | linux | from 0 | — |
| Debian:12 | linux-6.12 | before 6.12.111-1~deb12u1 | 6.12.111-1~deb12u1 |
| Debian:13 | linux | before 6.12.111-1 | 6.12.111-1 |
| Debian:14 | linux | before 7.2.6-1 | 7.2.6-1 |
Same product
linux: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2026-74705udp: fix potential use-after-free in tunnel segmentation40Plan
- CVE-2026-74612veth: fix skb length accounting after XDP frag adjustment40Plan
- CVE-2026-74475vxlan: use neigh_ha_snapshot() in route_shortcircuit()40Plan
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2026-90227Sep 17, 2026 · nvme/ioctl: check SUBMIT_IO with nvme_cmd_allowed()31Monitor
- ← EarlierCVE-2026-90228Sep 17, 2026 · nvmet: fix NULL pointer dereference in nvmet_execute_identify_ns_zns()30Monitor
- Later →CVE-2026-90230Sep 17, 2026 · nvmet: fix heap out-of-bounds read in nvmet_auth_negotiate()36Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Linux Linux | 215d1682f0bae495f3f9cf692b358116b7a18602 | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | 5f6f4777b7a8676251139dbfbcdec3cb578f0e40 | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | 87d5b9864c8118d26f54de4b66d2bddf2c659272 | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | 97cb6867c9f6de75905b361abfeba136a3d3d120 | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | bf51e306e3dcffd1a63ef09a7a39d28f3578dd2d | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | c11685ee4eedc70f738b117a4a8c0fbe84cd79b3 | Vendor (CNA) |
| azl3 kernel 6.6.150.1-1 on Azure Linux 3.0 | — | Microsoft (MSRC) |
| azl3 kernel 6.6.152.1-1 on Azure Linux 3.0 | 6.6.157.1-1 · Release Notes | Microsoft (MSRC) |
| debian:linux | 6.12.111-1 · Debian:13 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:linux-6.12 | 6.12.111-1~deb12u1 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
No dated events beyond publication.
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
No commit or PR link among the references.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it.
- No account or password is required.
- No user action is required.
- Special conditions such as timing or configuration are required.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- High
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
—
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-secondary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
MITRE has no CAPEC/ATT&CK mapping for this CWE.
Change log
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (5 more)Show less
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5f6f4777b7a8676251139dbfbcdec3cb578f0e40
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/87d5b9864c8118d26f54de4b66d2bddf2c659272
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/97cb6867c9f6de75905b361abfeba136a3d3d120
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bf51e306e3dcffd1a63ef09a7a39d28f3578dd2d
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c11685ee4eedc70f738b117a4a8c0fbe84cd79b3
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.