CVE-2026-90163 smb/server: call ksmbd_proc_cleanup() on module init failure
A memory leak in the Linux kernel SMB server module during initialization failure can lead to resource exhaustion and denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-90163?
CVE-2026-90163 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 17 Sep 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
smb/server: call ksmbd_proc_cleanup() on module init failure
When a later initializer fails, the unwind chain releases resources created after procfs and then jumps directly to class_unregister(). Returning an error from module_init() leaves the proc tree and its per-CPU counters allocated.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-90163?
How do I fix CVE-2026-90163?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-90163 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-90163 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-90163, GHSA-vh5f-3q2h-6w9g, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-90163.