---
title: "CVE-2026-90177: Linux Kernel - Pointer Type Verification Bypass"
description: "Linux kernel contains a pointer type verification bypass in BPF atomic RMW paths caused by incomplete pointer type checks, letting attackers cause inconsistent pointer handling, exploit requires crafted BPF programs."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-90177/
---

# CVE-2026-90177 Linux Kernel - Pointer Type Verification Bypass

Linux kernel contains a pointer type verification bypass in BPF atomic RMW paths caused by incomplete pointer type checks, letting attackers cause inconsistent pointer handling, exploit requires crafted BPF programs.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

EPSS

0.17% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90177)

## Details

Type

Pointer Type Verification Bypass

Impact

Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

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

Published

17 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version with the fix applied.

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-2026-90177](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90177)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4bc49ae344d65cfcef738f281ac575cf73ca2fc5](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4bc49ae344d65cfcef738f281ac575cf73ca2fc5)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb287c6e81dedef92da01eb947f380d0aae513c3](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb287c6e81dedef92da01eb947f380d0aae513c3)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d4ba9d888ac0a8f12c78071fff73e1205a0b9293](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d4ba9d888ac0a8f12c78071fff73e1205a0b9293)

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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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