CVE-2026-98311
wifi: virt_wifi: don't transfer operstate before register
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: virt_wifi: don't transfer operstate before register virt_wifi_newlink() calls netif_stacked_transfer_operstate() before register_netdevice(). If the lower device is dormant, that queues the new netdev on lweventlist while it is still uninitialized. If registration fails after that, for example because of an invalid name such as "bad/name", free_netdev() immediately frees the object. A later linkwatch_fire_event() then use-after-frees the list entry. Move the transfer to after netdev_upper_dev_link(), as macvlan and ipvlan already do.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 6, 2026, 9:18 a.m.
Last Modified :
Oct. 6, 2026, 9:18 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Move operstate transfer after netdev_upper_dev_link().
- Ensure netdevice is registered before transferring operstate.
- Review similar device linking logic.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-98311.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98311 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-2026-98311
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).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-98311 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-98311 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.
-
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: wifi: virt_wifi: don't transfer operstate before register virt_wifi_newlink() calls netif_stacked_transfer_operstate() before register_netdevice(). If the lower device is dormant, that queues the new netdev on lweventlist while it is still uninitialized. If registration fails after that, for example because of an invalid name such as "bad/name", free_netdev() immediately frees the object. A later linkwatch_fire_event() then use-after-frees the list entry. Move the transfer to after netdev_upper_dev_link(), as macvlan and ipvlan already do. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98311.json">CVE-2026-98311</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/293c56a66510bb7de073a1aba388e38abddff1fb Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9ce26201f6dedf3fa02b97da8c67ee6f6c5f7225 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b808a9af5fd21f9c68b0d024eda7535b5dce6a4e Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ca49763c42c1089d654bf11b037980a9ede3772c Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e5c8d7acd31b27057ea42cd405d0b3ece097bc89 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e8304e25c6dabb8accf38b807969438d0ce84fd7 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee9ea1afd6990def51d52b3a0aecd5cfcc951da0 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f9526054c2b2cace5916b7225603d008834ec011