CVE-2026-98230

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: use hlist_del_init_rcu for state_cache and state_cache_input Commit 14acf9652e56 ("xfrm: defensively unhash xfrm_state lists in __xfrm_state_delete") converted bydst/bysrc/byseq/byspi from hlist_del_rcu() to hlist_del_init_rcu() so that a second __xfrm_state_delete() on the same object becomes a no-op rather than a write through LIST_POISON pprev. It missed state_cache and state_cache_input, which kept hlist_del_rcu(): - hlist_del_rcu() leaves pprev = LIST_POISON2 (non-NULL), so hlist_unhashed() returns false. - hlist_del_init_rcu() leaves pprev = NULL, so hlist_unhashed() returns true. A second __xfrm_state_delete() therefore enters __hlist_del() on the already-deleted state_cache/state_cache_input nodes and does WRITE_ONCE(*pprev, next) through LIST_POISON2 — a write use-after-free once the slab is reused. The corruption can in turn cause a subsequent hlist_for_each_entry_rcu traversal to follow a dangling next pointer, producing the read use-after-free reported in xfrm_input_state_lookup(). Switch state_cache and state_cache_input to hlist_del_init_rcu() to match the other four lists, closing the write use-after-free and, with it, the read use-after-free it spawns.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-10-06
Last modified 2026-10-07
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.0

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.12.13, 6.13 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8, 7.3-rc4 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.12.13 ≥ 6.13
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.112 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.54 6.18.x ✓ 7.2.8 7.2.x ✓ 7.3-rc4

References

4 total

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-98230?

    CVE-2026-98230 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.0 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.12.13 onward and has been patched in 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 and others. CVE-2026-98230 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-98230?

    CVE-2026-98230 has a CVSS score of 7.0 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98230?

    Yes. CVE-2026-98230 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.12.13 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-98230 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-98230 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

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