CVE-2026-98873: Linux kernel · netfilter: nf_conntrack_expect: zero at allocation time
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in b7f3ee925aee9f1f547d539bc03c35433c238958 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:07 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 7% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in b7f3ee925aee9f1f547d539bc03c35433c238958, a39ecb856514274c80d0fac4d128dba6b266a8ed, 824397af7bfe14edad374c64253dae0187ca623d +4
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 23 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 specific commits to the Linux kernel source. Users and administrators should update affected Linux kernel versions to the fixed versions referenced by the commit hashes to remediate this vulnerability.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem (nf_conntrack_expect) involves uninitialized data potentially being leaked to userspace via ctnetlink. The issue is addressed by zeroing memory at allocation time. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel version 3.4 and has been fixed in subsequent commits.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/39cb6ff947c16a576ea68c5f272e634acdcb0085 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/90545aa07a183887e9d72ce573c18e08f62e2c91 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9c11d7ea5ff4dbe162e79f00188814ef5483c295 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b7f3ee925aee9f1f547d539bc03c35433c238958 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/824397af7bfe14edad374c64253dae0187ca623d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a39ecb856514274c80d0fac4d128dba6b266a8ed (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/241ccd2fed9051db443aadce248fc0ab30f55e97 (opens in a new tab)