CVE-2026-90187: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: null_blk: free zones array on device power-off null_init_zoned

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: null_blk: free zones array on device power-off null_init_zoned_dev() allocates dev->zones

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: null_blk: free zones array on device power-off null_init_zoned_dev() allocates dev->zones when a zoned device is powered on, but null_del_dev() never frees it on power-off; dev->zones is only freed later in null_free_dev(), when the configfs directory is removed. If the device is powered off and then on again, null_init_zoned_dev() allocates a new array and overwrites the dev->zones pointer, leaking the previous allocation each power cycle. Free dev->zones in null_del_dev() via null_free_zoned_dev() to solve it. And calling null_free_zoned_dev() in null_free_dev() is no longer necessary because every caller already invokes null_del_dev() first: via nullb_group_drop_item() before nullb_device_release(), in the null_add_dev() error path of null_create_dev(), and in null_destroy_dev(). Remove the redundant call. And take &lock around zone_cond_store() in the two store wrappers to serialize dev->zones check-and-deref against its alloc/free, which already run under &lock. The reason there was no problem before is that only nullb_device_release() or null_exit() frees the dev->zones, which guarantees that subsequent u

Description from the National Vulnerability Database, published by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

What it means for a small business

Linux is on the computers, phones or browsers your team uses every day. Turn on automatic updates and restart: most of these fixes only take effect after a restart.

How likely is an attack? The Exploit Prediction Scoring System, run by FIRST (the global association of security response teams), puts the odds of this one being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.20%, higher than 9% of CVEs. That’s low, but low isn’t zero, and the odds jump the day someone publishes an exploit. Scored October 28, 2026, updated daily.

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Sources

Part of the Huttenlocher Technologies vulnerability database, refreshed twice a day from CISA and the NVD. The title, category and plain-language guidance are ours; check the linked record before acting on a detail. This is general guidance, not a review of your systems.

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