CVE-2026-98612

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: usb: catc: bound the RX packet length in catc_rx_done() catc_rx_done() walks a multi-packet URB, reading a two-byte length from each packet header. Its bound, pkt_len > urb->actual_length, ignores the header offset and compares against the whole transfer rather than the bytes left from pkt_start, so a crafted packet header makes skb_copy_to_linear_data() read past the buffer. A length below ETH_HLEN is also accepted, including zero, and eth_type_trans() then reads a MAC header from the uninitialised tailroom of a shorter skb. The is_f5u011 branch takes its length straight from the transfer, so a zero-length URB reaches the same path. Track the bytes remaining from the current packet, and reject a header that does not fit, a length past what is left, and a length below an Ethernet header. A transfer shorter than an Ethernet header, including a zero-length one, previously became a runt skb passed to netif_rx() and counted as received; it is now counted in rx_length_errors and ends the walk.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-10-18
Last modified 2026-10-18
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 2.6.12 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9, 7.3 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.12
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.271 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.222 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.189 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.158 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.112 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.55 6.18.x ✓ 7.2.9 7.2.x ✓ 7.3

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-98612?

    CVE-2026-98612 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.12 onward and has been patched in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189 and others. CVE-2026-98612 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98612?

    Yes. CVE-2026-98612 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.12 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-98612 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-98612 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.