---
title: "CVE-2026-93196: Linux Kernel - Use After Free"
description: "Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability in virtio_pmem caused by improper refcounting of request tokens in virtio_pmem_host_ack, letting attackers cause kernel memory corruption, exploit requires kernel-level access."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-93196/
---

# CVE-2026-93196 Linux Kernel - Use After Free

Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability in virtio\_pmem caused by improper refcounting of request tokens in virtio\_pmem\_host\_ack, letting attackers cause kernel memory corruption, exploit requires kernel-level access.

CVSS base score 8.4 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

EPSS

0.19% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-93196)

## Details

Type

Use After Free

Impact

Denial Of Service, Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/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 virtio\_pmem refcounting.

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-2026-93196](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-93196)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b1e740b9156621afd4c4aa66257f4dde8df1febe](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b1e740b9156621afd4c4aa66257f4dde8df1febe)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/be072a5d5e35f4bdf2da22f600b5d6dc6c5ff491](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/be072a5d5e35f4bdf2da22f600b5d6dc6c5ff491)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e57140944b5a47a7fd5a142faab29a02af040bc8](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e57140944b5a47a7fd5a142faab29a02af040bc8)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4691c137e9cbe76137d730a26d663d900ac7279b](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4691c137e9cbe76137d730a26d663d900ac7279b)

[← 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)