CVE-2026-98861: Linux kernel · fprobe: Use guard(rcu_sched_notrace) and check rcu_is_watching()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 02:26 UTC
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation 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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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 that modifies the fprobe code to use guard(rcu_sched_notrace) and checks rcu_is_watching() to ensure safe synchronization and prevent use-after-free. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include these changes. Since this is a kernel vulnerability, upgrading to patched kernel versions is the recommended mitigation.
Description
CVE-2026-98861 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's fprobe subsystem. It arises because unregister_fprobe() and unregister_fprobe_async() rely on standard RCU grace periods that do not account for fprobe handlers executing when RCU is not watching, such as in idle or nohz_full states. This can lead to a use-after-free condition if the fprobe is freed immediately after unregistration. The issue is addressed by adding checks for rcu_is_watching() and using guard(rcu_sched_notrace) to avoid lockdep overhead and ensure safe synchronization.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98861 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-98861 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd4a0d4993633b45470abf6da4ea0ca563402245 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0a6249190402a28f1e2925a81acf573157d55ef (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a85d0f00671b4d4527317c10ba018680f7d8d673 (opens in a new tab)