CVE-2026-98230: Linux kernel · xfrm: use hlist_del_init_rcu for state_cache and state_cache_input
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.0 High · fixed in fb38fb7420d5f7192f9e2b6ac835ede149cd7ac5 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:30 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.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in fb38fb7420d5f7192f9e2b6ac835ede149cd7ac5, 4748c27e2e6a1969e02f1df46e62f79d2799b80b, 9b74a47a4cbd0d29faff4f3b199212c73e6b6220 +2
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
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available in Linux kernel version 6.12.112 and later, including version 6.13. Users and administrators should upgrade to these fixed versions to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
CVE-2026-98230 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's xfrm subsystem. It arises from improper list deletion functions used for state_cache and state_cache_input, leading to write and read use-after-free conditions. The flaw was fixed by switching to a safer list deletion function, preventing memory corruption and potential kernel crashes.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb38fb7420d5f7192f9e2b6ac835ede149cd7ac5 (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/2afb8dc1f4390f164db8352f8e685e126e9db566 (opens in a new tab)