CVE-2026-98196: Linux kernel · wifi: brcmsmac: fix UAF in brcms_free_timer()
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 856dabd5f2617efb23c043be9e1b22a9e6e97c41 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 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 7% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 856dabd5f2617efb23c043be9e1b22a9e6e97c41, 777cb6bba59e875b16a1d8897a483a5fecfcd5d2, 74acccc928851f69184271832d690607877122af +5
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 6 Oct 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 to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in several Linux kernel commits. Users should update to a Linux kernel version that includes these fixes to remediate the vulnerability.
Description
A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel's brcmsmac WiFi driver was fixed by ensuring that any in-flight timer callbacks complete before freeing the timer structure. The flaw involved improper synchronization when canceling delayed work, potentially leading to memory corruption.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/10eeb0b29fd7f52487c9ae573e8d79c210a0095d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/74acccc928851f69184271832d690607877122af (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/050d2486e8ed2c0a23b87249ccd23e8072721391 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/856dabd5f2617efb23c043be9e1b22a9e6e97c41 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2a4841ff0b74b495cddd31ae324e922217fc2f13 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1edb3ddd261e973a4d577c0547e63bfa25a8170d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/777cb6bba59e875b16a1d8897a483a5fecfcd5d2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1eeca1d5e0920fbdad6449768fd2d4364e714180 (opens in a new tab)