CVE-2026-98381: Linux kernel · veth: manage XDP program pointers during channel resize
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in f0e8dba8c224981e53c792c6b3dbb7604fb2c2c6 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:07 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 f0e8dba8c224981e53c792c6b3dbb7604fb2c2c6, 7104a370714346b667712913dc16abf14bbc97ed, 43f6b647f209591b1e3f726bb16b8dcba6b95908 +4
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 9 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
A fix for this vulnerability is available and has been incorporated in multiple Linux kernel commits. Users and administrators should update to a Linux kernel version that includes these fixes. Since this is not a cloud service, manual patching is required. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2026-98381 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's veth network driver where XDP program pointers are not properly managed during channel resize operations. This flaw can lead to use-after-free conditions causing kernel crashes (kernel panic) due to invalid memory access when the freed XDP program is later executed. The issue affects Linux kernel version 5.15 and has been assigned a high severity rating with a CVSS score of 7.8.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7a8e143109ff2736dc79e41dcd55af7ceab7520a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1a5c5b9c64ba5f39dba55da6e12561ca56eeb758 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f0e8dba8c224981e53c792c6b3dbb7604fb2c2c6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c10a5dd0d38f506f671dbb59e9d0ee4c72076f9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/25bb7c36225220d30f404d7e29d2e052bc5f4b99 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/43f6b647f209591b1e3f726bb16b8dcba6b95908 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7104a370714346b667712913dc16abf14bbc97ed (opens in a new tab)