CVE-2026-90217 bpf: Compare iterator types during state pruning
A flaw in the Linux kernel BPF verifier allows unsafe path pruning, potentially enabling privilege escalation or code execution.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-90217?
CVE-2026-90217 is a high-severity 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:
bpf: Compare iterator types during state pruning
An iterator stack slot can be MEM_RCU or PTR_UNTRUSTED. These states must not be equal, or the verifier can prune an unsafe path.
Compare the pointer type for STACK_ITER slots.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-90217?
How do I fix CVE-2026-90217?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-90217 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-90217 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-90217, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-90217, GHSA-xq4r-6342-2fvw, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-90217.