CVE-2026-98251: Linux kernel · openvswitch: avoid reallocating confirmed conntrack labels
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in d16f089bd700f45d720ce989d5495e1dc3be0cf8 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in d16f089bd700f45d720ce989d5495e1dc3be0cf8, 4371d79ea74407fb992c985b1f94391e35bb8289, 579d87ec1e1e85729a6cb2c25961e58beb78640c +5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/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
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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
This vulnerability has been fixed in the Linux kernel commits identified by hashes d16f089bd700f45d720ce989d5495e1dc3be0cf8, 4371d79ea74407fb992c985b1f94391e35bb8289, 579d87ec1e1e85729a6cb2c25961e58beb78640c, 8c9fcc6c33950d3db551af664d1fd3d998bfee56, 7ff688aceada1160331a789385ea146f62fbddf7, 05eab8dced6bf4d3009a6eeee16ddac99047dc83, 3f118c8217c109fd13ca61caa301d72c483897ef, and 2e6dd889c325abf23821e1459c3ffef59b7f0009. Users should update their Linux kernel to versions including these fixes to remediate the issue. Patch status is confirmed by these fixed commits.
Description
CVE-2026-98251 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's openvswitch component. It involves improper handling of conntrack labels where confirmed conntrack entries may have their label extensions reallocated concurrently, leading to potential memory corruption. The flaw is addressed by restricting label extension allocation to unconfirmed conntracks only, preventing unsafe reallocations on confirmed entries.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4371d79ea74407fb992c985b1f94391e35bb8289 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ff688aceada1160331a789385ea146f62fbddf7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/05eab8dced6bf4d3009a6eeee16ddac99047dc83 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/579d87ec1e1e85729a6cb2c25961e58beb78640c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2e6dd889c325abf23821e1459c3ffef59b7f0009 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d16f089bd700f45d720ce989d5495e1dc3be0cf8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c9fcc6c33950d3db551af664d1fd3d998bfee56 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3f118c8217c109fd13ca61caa301d72c483897ef (opens in a new tab)