CVE-2026-98885: Linux kernel · ima: return error early if file xattr cannot be changed
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in dce1b66fcfb40c935f426f602c3a41a7b9f62ba4 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
Rated Low 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 dce1b66fcfb40c935f426f602c3a41a7b9f62ba4, c6988714c0549e06610635c7a71e88635da6db64, 86acb68ebb220b83def94e7f4c33e24e843970e0 +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 has been implemented in the Linux kernel as indicated by the presence of fixed commit versions. Users should update their Linux kernel to a version including these fixes to avoid the issue. No additional mitigation actions are required.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Integrity Measurement Architecture (IMA) was addressed by returning an error early when file extended attributes (xattr) cannot be changed. During early boot, the filesystem is read-only, and attempts to change xattrs on ext4 filesystems fail due to ext4 transactions starting improperly. This fix prevents warnings and potential issues by detecting the file state early and returning an error without proceeding with the transaction.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/86acb68ebb220b83def94e7f4c33e24e843970e0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d98295357bcacb70874e73117e298a9d7d9b830 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c6988714c0549e06610635c7a71e88635da6db64 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c77312728d07b60fc028f676e42d842df918bcd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dce1b66fcfb40c935f426f602c3a41a7b9f62ba4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2f29f880e98bf0087215726c45a485afd15b42cf (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/69fc6474236d9edda6983623e4282f2bdfd8e3d8 (opens in a new tab)