CVE-2026-98039

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Require MEM_PERCPU for percpu kptr stores map_kptr_match_type() treats perm_flags as the set of register type flags that a kptr field permits. Adding MEM_PERCPU to that set for BPF_KPTR_PERCPU does not require the source register to carry it, however. The subset test consequently accepts both a plain bpf_obj_new() allocation and a referenced kernel pointer into a __percpu_kptr map field. Loads from the field are always marked MEM_PERCPU. Consumers then treat the stored value as the cookie returned by bpf_percpu_obj_new(): per-CPU pointer helpers relocate it, and map teardown selects the per-CPU free path. A plain allocation can therefore provide an arbitrary kernel read/write, while a kernel pointer can be relocated into an invalid address or sent through a missing destructor. Require the source MEM_PERCPU flag to match the destination field kind. This preserves valid bpf_percpu_obj_new() stores and rejects both the program-BTF and kernel-BTF variants.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-09-25
Last modified 2026-09-25
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.7 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7, 7.3-rc2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.7
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.111 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.53 6.18.x ✓ 7.2.7 7.2.x ✓ 7.3-rc2

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-98039?

    CVE-2026-98039 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.7 onward and has been patched in 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 and others. CVE-2026-98039 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98039?

    Yes. CVE-2026-98039 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.7 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-98039 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-98039 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.