CVE-2026-98259: Linux kernel · fs/dax: check zero or empty entry before converting xarray entry
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 185cd2f5fe1e3319853cf065905b2885ad0bcbf8 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 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 5% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 185cd2f5fe1e3319853cf065905b2885ad0bcbf8, 44ab7420ab52ab6c04bf225cac7c5c007cedd6c7, 8e2b8614039853e68d5338e37821e8bcee9fc05f
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 Linux kernel to 185cd2f5fe1e3319853cf065905b2885ad0bcbf8, 44ab7420ab52ab6c04bf225cac7c5c007cedd6c7 or 8e2b8614039853e68d5338e37821e8bcee9fc05f.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel after version 6.15, as indicated by the fixed commit hashes. Users and administrators should update to a patched kernel version containing these commits to prevent the kernel panic. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's fs/dax subsystem allows a kernel panic when dax_to_folio() is called with an empty xarray entry. This occurs during booting of a VM with DAX-enabled storage. The issue is due to missing checks for empty entries before conversion, leading to a kernel paging fault and panic. The problem affects Linux kernel version 6.15 and has been fixed in subsequent commits.