CVE-2026-98543
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: fs/xattr: don't assume the inode is locked in path_unlink/path_rmdir bpf_lsm_has_d_inode_locked() makes the verifier rewrite bpf_[set|remove]_dentry_xattr() to the _locked variants, which assume that the caller already holds the inode's i_rwsem. The path_unlink and path_rmdir hooks are listed, but security_path_unlink() and security_path_rmdir() run before vfs_unlink()/vfs_rmdir() take the victim inode's i_rwsem, so a sleepable BPF LSM program attached to either hook mutates the victim's xattrs without the lock held. Drop the two path hooks from d_inode_locked_hooks so that the verifier keeps the locking bpf_[set|remove]_dentry_xattr() variants, which take the lock themselves.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
6.15
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.18.55,
7.2.9,
7.3
and their respective stable series.
References
3 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-98543?
CVE-2026-98543 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.15 onward and has been patched in 6.18.55, 7.2.9 and 7.3. CVE-2026-98543 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98543?
Yes. CVE-2026-98543 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.55, 7.2.9 and 7.3. If you are running Linux kernel 6.15 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-98543 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-98543 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.