CVE-2026-98791: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: Fix AF_XDP TX timestamp teardown NULL dereference
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in fce70b6bf9f3261e887419a4e7caa25b80fa9d55 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
Rated Medium by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in fce70b6bf9f3261e887419a4e7caa25b80fa9d55, f81d40e2eb69552334f510114f3e6edd0d43178b, 63df0ef4c6e3105589e6bb2e758ce611b0ada86c +1
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 Linux kernel to fce70b6bf9f3261e887419a4e7caa25b80fa9d55, f81d40e2eb69552334f510114f3e6edd0d43178b, 63df0ef4c6e3105589e6bb2e758ce611b0ada86c or 7b97273cbebe9dd4fddc457f0c4f2a124d0e3996.
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– |
Linuxlinux/kernelpkg:deb/linux/kernelOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel. Users should update to a fixed kernel version that includes the commits fce70b6bf9f3261e887419a4e7caa25b80fa9d55, f81d40e2eb69552334f510114f3e6edd0d43178b, 63df0ef4c6e3105589e6bb2e758ce611b0ada86c, or 7b97273cbebe9dd4fddc457f0c4f2a124d0e3996. No additional mitigation steps are indicated.
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's net/mlx5e driver related to AF_XDP TX timestamp teardown has been fixed. The issue occurs during the teardown of the XSK TX queue when outstanding descriptors are completed without a completion queue entry (CQE). If a TX timestamp was requested, the code attempts to dereference a NULL CQE, causing a potential crash. The fix returns zero when no CQE is available, preventing the NULL dereference.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fce70b6bf9f3261e887419a4e7caa25b80fa9d55 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f81d40e2eb69552334f510114f3e6edd0d43178b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/63df0ef4c6e3105589e6bb2e758ce611b0ada86c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7b97273cbebe9dd4fddc457f0c4f2a124d0e3996 (opens in a new tab)