CVE-2026-98268

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: Fix null pointer access in is_include_guest_event() A typical module unload occurring event when there is an active perf connection leads to freeing of the pmu pointer. The call log is something like: .. __pmu_detach_event pmu_detach_event pmu_detach_events perf_pmu_unregister .. __pmu_detach_event() sets event->pmu to null. When the perf connection finally is closed, the following stack trace is observed: Oops: general protection fault, kernel NULL pointer dereference ... RIP: 0010:_free_event+0x3e/0x370 ... Call Trace: ... perf_event_release_kernel+0x260/0x2d0 perf_release+0x12/0x20 A call to mediated_pmu_unaccount_event() inside _free_event() is the root cause of this crash. Adding a check inside is_include_guest_event() ensures we don't accidentally access a null pmu ptr. In addition to this, we will now call mediated_pmu_unaccount_event() before clearing the pmu ptr so that nr_include_guest_events counts are maintained correctly.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-10-06
Last modified 2026-10-06
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 7.0 and later are affected. Fixed in 7.2.8, 7.3-rc4 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 7.0
Fixed in
✓ 7.2.8 7.2.x ✓ 7.3-rc4

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-98268?

    CVE-2026-98268 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 7.0 onward and has been patched in 7.2.8 and 7.3-rc4. CVE-2026-98268 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98268?

    Yes. CVE-2026-98268 has been patched. Fixed versions include 7.2.8 and 7.3-rc4. If you are running Linux kernel 7.0 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-98268 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-98268 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.