CVE-2026-98201: Linux kernel · Input: zero ff_effect before compat copy in input_ff_effect_from_user
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in f84819ef8d66931ee3998fee3c4f03230f4cb6cc : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
Rated Medium 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 f84819ef8d66931ee3998fee3c4f03230f4cb6cc, ed0905fda39682d3da7937184397d3276abbffa8, ed0406e490f48ed180df140fe2a81be26bccb1a9 +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 the Linux kernel source. The vulnerability is resolved by zeroing the ff_effect structure before copying the smaller compat structure, preventing uninitialized stack memory disclosure. Users should update to a Linux kernel version that includes the fix identified by the commits listed in establishedFacts.fixedVersions.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's input subsystem involves uninitialized stack memory disclosure via the force feedback effect structure. The compat path input_ff_effect_from_user() copies only a smaller prefix of the effect structure, leaving the tail uninitialized. This uninitialized memory can be leaked to userspace by a force feedback daemon, potentially disclosing kernel stack contents. The issue affects version 2.6.29 and has been fixed by zeroing the effect structure before copying.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed0905fda39682d3da7937184397d3276abbffa8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec174c2ab1abb76b20fa167c6db848c3d97aa838 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6c26681c5668c973bd0e951407d670ac60d9cd66 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c5e573bb095d502be7cbbaa99c26a20984111c6d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b878720e8bcaa4cf7163a5081f904dd6baf11b2c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d05b43b55d4784a42ce8fb318175f8ad7d9af5a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed0406e490f48ed180df140fe2a81be26bccb1a9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f84819ef8d66931ee3998fee3c4f03230f4cb6cc (opens in a new tab)