---
title: "CVE-2026-89973: Linux kernel nvme-tcp - Denial of Service"
description: "Linux kernel nvme-tcp contains a denial of service caused by missing data direction check in nvme_tcp_handle_c2h_data(), letting attackers reset the controller by sending invalid C2HData PDUs, exploit requires a malicious NVMe controller."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-89973/
---

# CVE-2026-89973 Linux kernel nvme-tcp - Denial of Service

Linux kernel nvme-tcp contains a denial of service caused by missing data direction check in nvme\_tcp\_handle\_c2h\_data(), letting attackers reset the controller by sending invalid C2HData PDUs, exploit requires a malicious NVMe controller.

CVSS base score 8.2 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

EPSS

0.60% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89973)

## Details

Type

Denial of Service

Impact

Denial Of Service

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H

Published

16 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for nvme-tcp data direction check.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89973](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-89973)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/80d56202fbdff8906be6954b2776e5c14a4026f2](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/80d56202fbdff8906be6954b2776e5c14a4026f2)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/980d990f3c0560d7dfbfbf14699651fdf02f26ee](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/980d990f3c0560d7dfbfbf14699651fdf02f26ee)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a0c389b8a495bda1eb719d2503853c924b7a8355](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a0c389b8a495bda1eb719d2503853c924b7a8355)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b4af7999a998787d5eb6facb5a333e04a4f1d2d9](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b4af7999a998787d5eb6facb5a333e04a4f1d2d9)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/df74950ba6008655d4a977d17df7faf4b6e52b74](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/df74950ba6008655d4a977d17df7faf4b6e52b74)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f83af377c148f6ad94b41c0e8313f12adf45e1c1](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f83af377c148f6ad94b41c0e8313f12adf45e1c1)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0673a2affe45ca76b60de31a83c67b1e60f81bde](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0673a2affe45ca76b60de31a83c67b1e60f81bde)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b115d932f6e769ac80783fb18edd21b0aed256e](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b115d932f6e769ac80783fb18edd21b0aed256e)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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