CVE-2026-98916: Linux kernel · wifi: nl80211: check link is beaconing for color change
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in e50965c702cfd41eb83464565f6272d4d4bfc00c : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · 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 e50965c702cfd41eb83464565f6272d4d4bfc00c, dc4713539da73d2d2c03d064b22b0e6ab38bd361, 55308cee9c2196f39cd1ce8ee6c1fed9e12a00d4 +1
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 Linux kernel to e50965c702cfd41eb83464565f6272d4d4bfc00c, dc4713539da73d2d2c03d064b22b0e6ab38bd361, 55308cee9c2196f39cd1ce8ee6c1fed9e12a00d4 or 51423d370739aa3f701fdfbfcc52ecf321dfd71a.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel. Users should update from version 5.16 to a fixed version containing the relevant commits to mitigate this vulnerability.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's nl80211 wireless subsystem was addressed by adding a check to ensure the link is beaconing before performing a color change. This prevents the driver from being called with an invalid link state.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/51423d370739aa3f701fdfbfcc52ecf321dfd71a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dc4713539da73d2d2c03d064b22b0e6ab38bd361 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e50965c702cfd41eb83464565f6272d4d4bfc00c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/55308cee9c2196f39cd1ce8ee6c1fed9e12a00d4 (opens in a new tab)