CVE-2026-98368: Linux kernel · esp: downgrade zerocopy managed frags before mutating skb frags
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in f89416eb3db151170a6f3c6dfc5239d26cdce4d2 : patch Linux kernel soon.
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.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in f89416eb3db151170a6f3c6dfc5239d26cdce4d2, 6508304ac2c8cdafca2f4ab915df8c707893e134, 2359264f377cdbdef2d95868cc8fb572949e48d3 +3
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
|
| 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 in the Linux kernel as indicated by multiple fixed commit versions. Users should upgrade to a kernel version that includes these fixes (commit hashes: f89416eb3db151170a6f3c6dfc5239d26cdce4d2, 6508304ac2c8cdafca2f4ab915df8c707893e134, 2359264f377cdbdef2d95868cc8fb572949e48d3, 69a768c12398cada8528080332c822623fa7064d, 6cab554f2c0f28773f712ed3a5479103f42ce844, 0d0845ee61c5df47cc68bc446501f48f71e8dcc6). No other mitigation is indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2026-98368 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel affecting version 6.0. It involves improper handling of zerocopy managed fragments in the ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) code path, leading to use-after-free and memory leak conditions. The flaw arises because ESP mutates the skb fragment array without properly downgrading zerocopy managed fragments, violating ownership invariants. This can cause reference count underflows and leaks of pinned pages.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2359264f377cdbdef2d95868cc8fb572949e48d3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/69a768c12398cada8528080332c822623fa7064d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6508304ac2c8cdafca2f4ab915df8c707893e134 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6cab554f2c0f28773f712ed3a5479103f42ce844 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d0845ee61c5df47cc68bc446501f48f71e8dcc6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f89416eb3db151170a6f3c6dfc5239d26cdce4d2 (opens in a new tab)