CVE-2026-98098: Linux kernel · tipc: fix NULL deref in tipc_named_node_up() on empty publication list
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 7% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available that addresses this vulnerability by ensuring protocol service types are always inserted into the TIPC name table and by reducing the maximum number of local user publications. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's TIPC subsystem allows a NULL pointer dereference in the function tipc_named_node_up() when the publication list is empty. This occurs if the number of user-space service address publications exceeds the maximum limit (TIPC_MAX_PUBL), causing protocol service types to not be inserted into the name table. This results in user-space applications not receiving node or link state notifications and triggers a kernel NULL pointer dereference, potentially causing a kernel crash. The issue has been fixed by ensuring protocol service types are always inserted and reducing the maximum number of local user publications by one.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98098 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-98098 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0d82f1214f321143c5dbc2e48e4a4e6c4226895 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/68619f965329d2f7b113a3d5811aa23198f39105 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b3b76e9f4f2476f1135b2ba7743a821db4a0df4b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ad805326d874062f8bc72a94884f86046148cde3 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98098 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/246a4b4aace490664927042e93400a6f940d197f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6188cf0c989dea60f2efe800eaebb7d0bd16e2b2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b5344e459996afb45e30fdc407b41e6674793b21 (opens in a new tab)