CVE-2026-98561
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfp: hold IPsec RX state under the XArray lock nfp_net_ipsec_rx() drops the XArray lock before taking a reference to the xfrm_state it found. The delete path can erase the entry and drop the last state reference in that interval. RX can then try to increment a zero refcount after the state has been queued for destruction. The driver queues firmware invalidation asynchronously; the delete path does not wait for the command to complete or drain pending RX processing. The XFRM garbage collector waits for an RCU grace period before freeing the state. That delays reclamation but does not make acquiring a reference from zero valid. Take the xfrm_state reference before releasing the XArray lock so xa_erase() cannot run between lookup and reference acquisition.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
6.2
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.6.158,
6.12.112,
6.18.55,
7.2.9,
7.3
and their respective stable series.
References
5 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-98561?
CVE-2026-98561 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.2 onward and has been patched in 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55 and others. CVE-2026-98561 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-2026-98561?
Yes. CVE-2026-98561 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.2 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-98561 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-98561 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.