CVE-2026-98036: Linux kernel · bpf: Preserve special fields in recycled rhtab elements
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited : upgrade to 6a5266b8288216b86602ff687d528abfb066dfd8 or 5df46ddcb7b36878c1b691e9057a0509042a2567 soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
Rated High by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6a5266b8288216b86602ff687d528abfb066dfd8, 5df46ddcb7b36878c1b691e9057a0509042a2567
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by 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 Linux kernel to 6a5266b8288216b86602ff687d528abfb066dfd8 or 5df46ddcb7b36878c1b691e9057a0509042a2567.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel (commits 6a5266b8288216b86602ff687d528abfb066dfd8 and 5df46ddcb7b36878c1b691e9057a0509042a2567). Users should update to a kernel version including these commits or later to remediate this issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF subsystem involves improper handling of special fields in recycled rhtab elements. This flaw allows a BPF program to retain a pointer to a map value after deletion, potentially leading to a timer callback executing with pointers to freed memory. The issue arises because recycled elements have their special fields reinitialized incorrectly, preventing proper cancellation of timers. The vulnerability has been fixed by ensuring special fields are not reinitialized on insertion, preserving ownership state for the destructor.