CVE-2026-98369: Linux kernel · xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), skb_dst_force() and dev_hold() for
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in d2f5082f9e84653fa1a9e8aebaaff23e688f5e19 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 3% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in d2f5082f9e84653fa1a9e8aebaaff23e688f5e19, 6601d91a85761f33351c71e04ec0bbd294ca07ce, 664fc0941df7c1918b2cd4de6ee00469ba77d8e4 +7
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– |
AI-suggested
This vulnerability has been fixed in Linux kernel versions 5.15.222, 5.20, 6.1, and later. Users should upgrade to these or newer kernel versions to remediate the issue. No additional mitigations are required once patched.
Description
CVE-2026-98369 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's xfrm subsystem related to improper handling of RCU read locks and reference counting during packet reinjection. The issue arises from missing rcu_read_lock(), skb_dst_force(), and dev_hold() calls in the xfrm_trans_reinject() function after it was converted from a tasklet to a workqueue. This causes RCU lockdep warnings and potential use-after-free conditions due to non-reference-counted destination entries and device references not being held properly during deferred processing.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/41e47f1664be86c91326f0afe0504a1162d00907 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6601d91a85761f33351c71e04ec0bbd294ca07ce (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0cda8273265d30cac6423834fd7d4acb75f04fdb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/68a317b4aec8ca1868a39d69e40f9e29baa4f40a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6eb3b071be8e260543c604550c54dac66e6b174b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/664fc0941df7c1918b2cd4de6ee00469ba77d8e4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2f5082f9e84653fa1a9e8aebaaff23e688f5e19 (opens in a new tab)