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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-98017: Linux kernel · net/sched: defer qdisc freeing after failed creation

Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in e6662f2100f8d33b0f4d0047c219efd6bba186ea : patch Linux kernel soon.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
7.8High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Patch
Available – fixed in e6662f2100f8d33b0f4d0047c219efd6bba186ea, 156a3bab69744e9225bb9eff8c5cc53da18d5a2e, 96a27a3e64e7c87abade03fb2ad04ed66992a89a +3
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 25 Sep 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • ≥ 51ab2994c387c80b45caf8b8067b3f3b97771d25, < e6662f2100f8d33b0f4d0047c219efd6bba186ea
Fixed in
  • e6662f2100f8d33b0f4d0047c219efd6bba186ea
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • ≥ 51ab2994c387c80b45caf8b8067b3f3b97771d25, < 156a3bab69744e9225bb9eff8c5cc53da18d5a2e
Fixed in
  • 156a3bab69744e9225bb9eff8c5cc53da18d5a2e
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • ≥ 51ab2994c387c80b45caf8b8067b3f3b97771d25, < 96a27a3e64e7c87abade03fb2ad04ed66992a89a
Fixed in
  • 96a27a3e64e7c87abade03fb2ad04ed66992a89a
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • ≥ 51ab2994c387c80b45caf8b8067b3f3b97771d25, < 20bf6fa34b345333971bd4464a322cce87b83f4e
Fixed in
  • 20bf6fa34b345333971bd4464a322cce87b83f4e
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • ≥ 51ab2994c387c80b45caf8b8067b3f3b97771d25, < 6a1b49bb9fdf9e8e7aa38e8cd635c0cc4074447d
Fixed in
  • 6a1b49bb9fdf9e8e7aa38e8cd635c0cc4074447d
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • ≥ 51ab2994c387c80b45caf8b8067b3f3b97771d25, < 5bfe927c5b4b290fad529186218c728589b4b101
Fixed in
  • 5bfe927c5b4b290fad529186218c728589b4b101

AI-suggested

A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel commits identified by hashes e6662f2100f8d33b0f4d0047c219efd6bba186ea, 156a3bab69744e9225bb9eff8c5cc53da18d5a2e, 96a27a3e64e7c87abade03fb2ad04ed66992a89a, 20bf6fa34b345333971bd4464a322cce87b83f4e, 6a1b49bb9fdf9e8e7aa38e8cd635c0cc4074447d, and 5bfe927c5b4b290fad529186218c728589b4b101. Users and administrators should update affected Linux kernel versions to incorporate these patches. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.

Description

CVE-2026-98017 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's network scheduler subsystem. It involves improper handling of queueing discipline (qdisc) freeing after a failed creation during an RTM_NEWQDISC request. This flaw can lead to use-after-free conditions where a qdisc is freed synchronously while still potentially in use, risking system stability and security. The issue has been addressed by deferring the freeing of failed qdiscs using an RCU callback mechanism, ensuring safe destruction. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel version 4.16 and has been fixed in subsequent commits.

References

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