CVE-2026-98214
selinux: recheck intermediate backing files on mprotect()
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: selinux: recheck intermediate backing files on mprotect() mprotect() can be used to bypass the SELinux checks that mmap() performs against the intermediate layers of a stacked filesystem. mmap() checks every backing layer as the request descends through the stack. mprotect() only has the lowest backing file in vma->vm_file, so it rechecks the top-level user and the lowest mounter, but skips the mounters of every layer in between. With two nested overlayfs mounts and a policy denying mounter_t -> middle_file_t:file { execute }, a direct mmap(PROT_EXEC) is denied: avc: denied { execute } for pid=71 comm="nested_exec" path="/payload" dev="overlay" ino=9 scontext=user_u:base_r:mounter_t tcontext=user_u:object_r:middle_file_t tclass=file permissive=0 while mmap(PROT_NONE) followed by mprotect(PROT_EXEC) succeeds. Preserve each intermediate path, mounter SID and file-description SID in the backing-file security blob, copying the saved entries when another backing layer is opened. Allocate the array only for nested backing files, and release it and the path references in the backing_file_free hook. During mprotect(), recheck fd { use } and the requested inode permissions for every saved mounter, and include the intermediate layers in the execmod checks. Policy for nested stacking may then need to grant intermediate mounters what a direct mmap() already requires, and execmod on intermediate labels for binaries using text relocations. Tested on arm64 QEMU with a small BusyBox initramfs and a purpose-built SELinux policy, on a mainline tree containing commit f2381b546e7e ("fs: fix user path of nested backing files"). [PM: subject tweak]
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 6, 2026, 9:18 a.m.
Last Modified :
Oct. 19, 2026, 10:18 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Apply the kernel patch for "selinux: recheck intermediate backing files on mprotect()".
- Recompile the kernel with the provided fix.
- Deploy the updated kernel on affected systems.
- Verify SELinux policy and permissions after update.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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CVE-2026-98214.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98214 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-98214
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
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The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-98214 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-98214 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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CVE Modified by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Oct. 19, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected Affected value modified. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98214.json">CVE-2026-98214</a> -
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Oct. 06, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: selinux: recheck intermediate backing files on mprotect() mprotect() can be used to bypass the SELinux checks that mmap() performs against the intermediate layers of a stacked filesystem. mmap() checks every backing layer as the request descends through the stack. mprotect() only has the lowest backing file in vma->vm_file, so it rechecks the top-level user and the lowest mounter, but skips the mounters of every layer in between. With two nested overlayfs mounts and a policy denying mounter_t -> middle_file_t:file { execute }, a direct mmap(PROT_EXEC) is denied: avc: denied { execute } for pid=71 comm="nested_exec" path="/payload" dev="overlay" ino=9 scontext=user_u:base_r:mounter_t tcontext=user_u:object_r:middle_file_t tclass=file permissive=0 while mmap(PROT_NONE) followed by mprotect(PROT_EXEC) succeeds. Preserve each intermediate path, mounter SID and file-description SID in the backing-file security blob, copying the saved entries when another backing layer is opened. Allocate the array only for nested backing files, and release it and the path references in the backing_file_free hook. During mprotect(), recheck fd { use } and the requested inode permissions for every saved mounter, and include the intermediate layers in the execmod checks. Policy for nested stacking may then need to grant intermediate mounters what a direct mmap() already requires, and execmod on intermediate labels for binaries using text relocations. Tested on arm64 QEMU with a small BusyBox initramfs and a purpose-built SELinux policy, on a mainline tree containing commit f2381b546e7e ("fs: fix user path of nested backing files"). [PM: subject tweak] Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98214.json">CVE-2026-98214</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d50ebe5a27724e020747ffd61a051dec67cb8ec Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/78fc54b934bfb2c18aad8154c7302067146946f9 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89376fbfdcc1a728e1775f98752cdd90b0930a00 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2bbb905af2293549651b614a52ad91e0b462b60 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d127c7e1f3e1231d8ac8b2738e3f00bea12afe74