CVE-2026-98230: Linux kernel · xfrm: use hlist_del_init_rcu for state_cache and state_cache_input
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.0 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 1% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation 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
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 changes the deletion method for the affected lists to hlist_del_init_rcu(), preventing double deletion and use-after-free. Users should apply the official kernel updates that include this patch to resolve the vulnerability. No additional mitigations are indicated beyond applying the patch.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's xfrm subsystem was resolved by changing the deletion method for state_cache and state_cache_input lists to prevent double deletion and memory corruption. This fix prevents write and read use-after-free conditions caused by improper list handling.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98230 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-98230 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/2afb8dc1f4390f164db8352f8e685e126e9db566 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2afb8dc1f4390f164db8352f8e685e126e9db566 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4748c27e2e6a1969e02f1df46e62f79d2799b80b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b74a47a4cbd0d29faff4f3b199212c73e6b6220 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb38fb7420d5f7192f9e2b6ac835ede149cd7ac5 (opens in a new tab)