---
title: "CVE-2026-90229: Linux Kernel nvme-apple - Use After Free"
description: "Linux kernel nvme-apple contains a use-after-free caused by not destroying the admin queue on controller removal, letting attackers trigger kernel oops and panic, exploit requires controller failure and immediate teardown."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-90229/
---

# CVE-2026-90229 Linux Kernel nvme-apple - Use After Free

Linux kernel nvme-apple contains a use-after-free caused by not destroying the admin queue on controller removal, letting attackers trigger kernel oops and panic, exploit requires controller failure and immediate teardown.

CVSS base score 7.4 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

EPSS

0.17% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90229)

## Details

Type

Use After Free

Impact

Denial Of Service

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/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 containing the fix for nvme-apple admin queue destruction.

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-2026-90229](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90229)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c11685ee4eedc70f738b117a4a8c0fbe84cd79b3](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c11685ee4eedc70f738b117a4a8c0fbe84cd79b3)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/215d1682f0bae495f3f9cf692b358116b7a18602](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/215d1682f0bae495f3f9cf692b358116b7a18602)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5f6f4777b7a8676251139dbfbcdec3cb578f0e40](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5f6f4777b7a8676251139dbfbcdec3cb578f0e40)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/87d5b9864c8118d26f54de4b66d2bddf2c659272](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/87d5b9864c8118d26f54de4b66d2bddf2c659272)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bf51e306e3dcffd1a63ef09a7a39d28f3578dd2d](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bf51e306e3dcffd1a63ef09a7a39d28f3578dd2d)

[← All CVEs](https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/)

## 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

Panop answers these inside your environment, for this CVE and every other finding.

[Book a demo](https://panop.io/demo)