CVE-2026-98501: Linux kernel · HID: alps: fix use-after-free on input2 registration failure
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in ef8ca5bb4c8b9696f38b1bebce1c851baa02b77b : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 17% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in ef8ca5bb4c8b9696f38b1bebce1c851baa02b77b, d3aba3442798ce4a4c8ce3104d7b286d61e605f9, 925da1d2a24787f24872de13a4680437c54de179 +5
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 18 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 is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel versions identified by the fixed commit hashes. Users and administrators should update to a Linux kernel version that includes these fixes. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2026-98501 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's HID driver for ALPS devices. The flaw occurs when input device registration fails, leaving a pointer to freed memory that can be dereferenced during certain input events. This can lead to high-impact consequences including confidentiality, integrity, and availability breaches. The issue has been fixed by ensuring the pointer is only stored after successful registration and adding a null check in the event handling path.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/64f824dccfd316fd3db8ea1cc4e8a76ad6a02740 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2e55d76e6e8a756f6d87c241de975599f82b02fa (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ef8ca5bb4c8b9696f38b1bebce1c851baa02b77b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a8ad63158165bacd6a1d7420e0fe5364c913b06 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/47e5e177e9e4e10da6f2759d5ce8d049e33efdc4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/925da1d2a24787f24872de13a4680437c54de179 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/443f6b93442b10b972a16f57ceaaea75b77892b6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3aba3442798ce4a4c8ce3104d7b286d61e605f9 (opens in a new tab)