CriticalCVE-2026-63888

    Linux Kernel: Double Free (CVE-2026-63888)

    Published Last modified Sources: SUSE, Ubuntu, Red Hat, CVE.org, BSI

    What is affected, what to do

    A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) target subsystem. This vulnerability involves a buffer overread and a double-free error when processing iSCSI Text commands.

    Update Linux Kernel to version 5.10.259, Linux Kernel to version 5.15.210, Linux Kernel to version 6.1.176.

    Affected
    • Linux Kernel lt 3.1..5.10.259
    • Linux Kernel lt 5.11..5.15.210
    • Linux Kernel lt 5.16..6.1.176
    • Linux Kernel lt 6.2..6.6.143
    • Linux Kernel lt 6.7..6.12.93
    • Linux Kernel lt 6.13..6.18.35
    • Linux Kernel lt 6.19..7.0.12
    Fixed in
    • Linux Kernel 5.10.259
    • Linux Kernel 5.15.210
    • Linux Kernel 6.1.176
    • Linux Kernel 6.6.143
    • Linux Kernel 6.12.93
    • Linux Kernel 6.18.35
    • Linux Kernel 7.0.12
    • Linux Kernel 7.1

    Not sure whether and how you are affected? Ask a question about this vulnerability

    Metrics

    9.8

    Priority

    XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.

    Source: NVD, CVSS v3

    9.8

    CVSS v3

    Severity Critical on the scale from 0 to 10.

    Source: SUSE, Ubuntu, Red Hat, CVE.org, BSI

    0.8 %

    EPSS score

    Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.

    Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 55.8

    Show all metrics
    Severity
    Critical
    Priority (0–325)

    The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?

    Read in glossary
    94.90 Methodology
    Exploit maturity

    An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.

    Read in glossary
    no public PoC known
    XIEM Effective CVSS

    XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command.

    Read in glossary
    9.8 Methodology
    CVSS v3

    CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.

    Read in glossary
    9.8
    EPSS score

    The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.

    Read in glossary
    0.8 %
    Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
    EPSS percentile

    The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.

    Read in glossary
    55.8
    High — this CVE ranks above the median of all CVEs scored today (rank ≥ 36%).
    KEV status

    The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.

    Read in glossary
    —
    Published
    CISA assessment (SSVC)
    Exploitation: none known · automatable · Technical impact: total
    Source: CISA Vulnrichment, as of 16 October 2026
    CWE

    CWE is a catalogue of typical weakness types in software and hardware — such as flawed input validation, unsafe memory handling or poor authentication. Where a CVE names a concrete vulnerability in a concrete product, a CWE describes the underlying class of defect.

    Read in glossary
    CWE-415

    Detection rules

    No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.

    Classification under NIS2 and CRA

    Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.

    NIS2

    NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.

    Read in glossary
    High technical severity: assess and remediate the vulnerability in vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2 and document the decision.
    CRA

    The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.

    Read in glossary
    From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
    ISO/IEC 27001

    ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.

    Read in glossary
    Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.

    Description

    A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) target subsystem. This vulnerability involves a buffer overread and a double-free error when processing iSCSI Text commands. A remote attacker could exploit these issues by sending specially crafted network packets, leading to a kernel crash or memory corruption. This could result in a Denial of Service (DoS) for the affected system.

    Source: suse_csaf, Ubuntu Security Notices, redhat_csaf, cvelistv5, NVD (NIST), BSI WID Portal, BSI CSAF

    Affected products

    The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.

    Affected products
    Affected versionsFixed in
    LinuxLinux
    • 6.13 – < 6.18.35
    • 6.7 – < 6.12.93
    • 5.11 – < 5.15.210
    • 6.19 – < 7.0.12
    • 3.1 – < 5.10.259
    • —
    • 5.16 – < 6.1.176
    • 6.2 – < 6.6.143
    • 6.18.35
    • 6.12.93
    • 5.15.210
    • 7.0.12
    • 5.10.259
    • 7.1
    • 6.1.176
    • 6.6.143
    IBMQRadar SIEM
    • < 7.6.0.3
    • <7.5.0 UP16 IF01
    • 7.6.0.3
    • —

    Vendors and products

    Affected operating systems

    Affected operating systems
    Linuxubuntulinuxnoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-azurenoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-azure-6.8jammy
    Linuxubuntulinux-azure-fdenoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-azure-fde-6.8jammy
    Linuxubuntulinux-azure-fipsnoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-fipsnoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-gcpnoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-gcp-6.8jammy
    Linuxubuntulinux-gcp-fipsnoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-gkenoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-gkeopnoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-ibmnoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-lowlatencynoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8jammy
    Linuxubuntulinux-oraclenoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-oracle-6.8jammy
    Linuxubuntulinux-raspinoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-raspi-realtimenoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-realtimenoble
    Linuxubuntulinux-realtime-6.8jammy
    Linuxlinuxlinux_kernel7.1
    Linuxlinuxlinux_kernel—

    Weakness classes (CWE)

    References & sources

    Changes to this CVE

    Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).

    1. Initial analysis by NVDNVD

      Newly listed as affected:
      • Linux Kernel (5.16 – before 6.1.176; 6.13 – before 6.18.35; 6.2 – before 6.6.143; 6.7 – before 6.12.93; 5.11 – before 5.15.210; 6.19 – before 7.0.12; 3.1 – before 5.10.259; 5 individual versions)
      Show 9 original changes
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      Product configurationadded
      —
      OR *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 5.16 up to (excluding) 6.1.176 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.13 up to (excluding) 6.18.35 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.2 up to (excluding) 6.6.143 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.7 up to (excluding) 6.12.93 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 5.11 up to (excluding) 5.15.210 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.19 up to (excluding) 7.0.12 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 3.1 up to (excluding) 5.10.259
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5118ea225fe63b44207ba88047e4866e1ea43812 Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e22a1cdcc8277af4acc43710577157b77a02c5d Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/778c2ab142c625a8a8afa570e0f9b7873f445d99 Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89c81d1228c00fa6dd91de6c1c5aa1ef8a7875e3 Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/badf178b76b0690851df00f4ca9cf2eb8eb0f963 Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3e9b79aa794f7a23e82de4d710e7d2df610e349 Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec9f19d52074a191ed1756ed4a7d39fff1a2085c Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7948af0dd03de84079dcd4dc215a69fd6fbb95d Types: Patch

      Source identifier: nvd@nist.gov

    2. Record modifiedCISA ADP

      Weakness type: CWE-415

      Show the original change
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      Weakness type (CWE)added
      —
      CWE-415

      Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

    3. Record modifiedCISA ADP

      CISA assessment (SSVC): exploitation: none known, automatable: yes

      Show the original change
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      SSVC assessmentadded
      —
      {"id":"CVE-2026-63888","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"yes"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2026-10-16T15:32:59.424543Z"}

      Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

    4. Record modifiedLinux

      Show 16 original changes
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5118ea225fe63b44207ba88047e4866e1ea43812
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e22a1cdcc8277af4acc43710577157b77a02c5d
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/778c2ab142c625a8a8afa570e0f9b7873f445d99
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89c81d1228c00fa6dd91de6c1c5aa1ef8a7875e3
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/badf178b76b0690851df00f4ca9cf2eb8eb0f963
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3e9b79aa794f7a23e82de4d710e7d2df610e349
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec9f19d52074a191ed1756ed4a7d39fff1a2085c
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7948af0dd03de84079dcd4dc215a69fd6fbb95d
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5118ea225fe63b44207ba88047e4866e1ea43812
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e22a1cdcc8277af4acc43710577157b77a02c5d
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/778c2ab142c625a8a8afa570e0f9b7873f445d99
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89c81d1228c00fa6dd91de6c1c5aa1ef8a7875e3
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/badf178b76b0690851df00f4ca9cf2eb8eb0f963
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3e9b79aa794f7a23e82de4d710e7d2df610e349
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec9f19d52074a191ed1756ed4a7d39fff1a2085c
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7948af0dd03de84079dcd4dc215a69fd6fbb95d
      —

      Source identifier: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

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