CVE-2026-98523: Linux kernel · drm/client: fix restore of partially initialized client
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in fcbedba553a9c430079ee225df2dc7ab556a2f83 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
Rated High by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 10% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in fcbedba553a9c430079ee225df2dc7ab556a2f83, a69c4b678db808c0d89abb8cedeaaac38d1ef182, 11edd5b6735d2e1069ddce672b1836713647f7fb +2
Exploitation 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
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix for this vulnerability is available in Linux kernel version 6.12.112 and later. Users should upgrade to version 6.12.112 or newer to resolve the issue. No additional mitigation is required as the patch prevents the NULL pointer dereference by skipping restore operations on partially initialized fbdev clients.
Description
CVE-2026-98523 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) client subsystem. It involves a NULL pointer dereference triggered when closing a DRM file descriptor if a framebuffer device client is only partially initialized. The flaw occurs because the system attempts to restore the state of a partially initialized fbdev client, which lacks a fully initialized framebuffer device, leading to a kernel warning and crash.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/11edd5b6735d2e1069ddce672b1836713647f7fb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fcbedba553a9c430079ee225df2dc7ab556a2f83 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a69c4b678db808c0d89abb8cedeaaac38d1ef182 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1fca688e9443003e33cf30453e7a7560367656c9 (opens in a new tab)