This page summarizes Alpine Linux releases and milestones for 2026.
Last Updated: March 21, 2026
On January 27, 2026, Alpine Linux published coordinated security releases across all active stable branches:
| Version | Release Date | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 3.23.3 | 2026-01-27 | OpenSSL security fixes |
| 3.22.3 | 2026-01-27 | OpenSSL security fixes |
| 3.21.6 | 2026-01-27 | OpenSSL security fixes |
| 3.20.9 | 2026-01-27 | OpenSSL security fixes |
| Date | Versions Released | Release Post |
| — | — | — |
| 2026-01-27 | 3.20.9, 3.21.6, 3.22.3, 3.23.3 | https://www.alpinelinux.org/posts/Alpine-3.20.9-3.21.6-3.22.3-3.23.3-released.html |
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Stable | Alpine 3.23.3 |
| Active Branches | v3.23, v3.22, v3.21, v3.20 (fully supported); v3.19, v3.18 (on request) |
| Latest Release | 3.23.3 (2026-01-27) with OpenSSL security fixes |
| Support Model | Main repository ~2 years; community until next stable; EOL on request |
| Release Cadence | Biannual releases (May/November) from rolling edge branch |
| Next Expected | Alpine 3.24.0 (May 2026) |
| Kernel | Linux 6.12 LTS series (3.23.x) |
| Toolchain | GCC 14.x, musl libc 1.2.x, BusyBox 1.36.x |
| Branch | Latest Version | End of Main Support | End of Community Support | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v3.23 | 3.23.3 | 2027-11-01 | 2027-11-01 | 🟢 Fully Supported |
| v3.22 | 3.22.3 | 2027-05-01 | 2026-11-01 | 🟢 Fully Supported |
| v3.21 | 3.21.6 | 2026-11-01 | 2025-12-01 | 🟢 Fully Supported |
| v3.20 | 3.20.9 | 2026-04-01 | 2025-06-01 | 🟢 Fully Supported |
| v3.19 | 3.19.9 | 2025-11-01 | 2024-12-01 | 🟡 On Request |
| v3.18 | 3.18.12 | 2025-05-09 | 2024-05-09 | 🟡 On Request |
Security Patches: Coordinated security fixes addressing 12 OpenSSL CVEs across all supported branches:
| CVE ID | Severity | Branch Impact |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2025-11187 | High | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-15467 | High | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-15468 | High | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-15469 | High | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-66199 | Medium | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-68160 | Medium | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-69418 | Medium | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-69419 | Medium | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-69420 | Medium | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2025-69421 | Medium | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2026-22795 | High | v3.20-v3.23 |
| CVE-2026-22796 | High | v3.20-v3.23 |
Impact:
Based on Alpine’s biannual release cycle:
| Version | Expected Date | Quarter | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine 3.24.0 | May 2026 | Q2 | 📅 Expected |
| Alpine 3.25.0 | November 2026 | Q4 | 📅 Planned |
Alpine Linux follows a consistent biannual release schedule:
| Release | Typical Month | Branched From |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Release | May | edge branch freeze |
| Fall Release | November | edge branch freeze |
edge branch.apk.# Check current version
cat /etc/alpine-release
# Update package repository
apk update
# Upgrade all packages
apk upgrade
# Upgrade to latest release (same branch)
apk upgrade --available
# For distribution upgrade (e.g., 3.23 to 3.24):
# Edit /etc/apk/repositories to point to new version
# Then run: apk upgrade --available