CVE-2026-98351: Linux kernel · wifi: virt_wifi: free skb when disconnected
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in f9edf7cf63b96d2b776fca8d258d3c5256e40c8e : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 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 5% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in f9edf7cf63b96d2b776fca8d258d3c5256e40c8e, ee053ea35c759135460f03d1c574f4ed08de844a, d177eca79e1106834bc423d3969a4a2e3987996a +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
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel commits identified by the provided fixed version hashes. Users should update their Linux kernel to a version that includes these fixes to remediate the vulnerability.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's virt_wifi component causes a memory leak when the simulated Wi-Fi link is disconnected. Specifically, the function virt_wifi_start_xmit() returns NET_XMIT_DROP without freeing the socket buffer (skb), leading to leaked memory for every packet sent while disconnected. This issue has been fixed by ensuring the skb is freed before returning the drop status.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/38d3a5df85345f158f78b478b265ca906224454e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee053ea35c759135460f03d1c574f4ed08de844a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d177eca79e1106834bc423d3969a4a2e3987996a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/36727a702cf8e3399e3da60d0856378f6afcfb34 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/56469996c10a0240653fc00576b4d33bdfb4cc51 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f266738af45675faa0e8afee08c6e780afa8b06 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/46371442847a725cc0df3697fea2eba1dd54b82b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f9edf7cf63b96d2b776fca8d258d3c5256e40c8e (opens in a new tab)