CVE-2026-98432
ipv4: free inet_opt and ireq_opt after an RCU grace period
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: free inet_opt and ireq_opt after an RCU grace period tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() transfers ownership of ireq->ireq_opt to the child socket (newinet->inet_opt) without copying it. Another cpu can concurrently process a retransmitted SYN for the same request socket, and send a SYNACK from tcp_check_req(). tcp_v4_send_synack() and inet_csk_route_req() read ireq->ireq_opt under rcu_read_lock() only, and ip_build_and_send_pkt() and ip_options_build() then read opt->optlen twice. Note that the SYNACK timer itself is not an issue: it holds a reference on its request socket, and inet_csk_reqsk_queue_drop() calls timer_delete_sync() before the child can be freed. Since commit 079096f103fa ("tcp/dccp: install syn_recv requests into ehash table"), request sockets are processed without holding the listener lock, so nothing prevents the child socket from being freed while the SYNACK is still being built. TCP child sockets do not have SOCK_RCU_FREE, and inet_sock_destruct() frees inet_opt with a plain kfree(), leading to a use-after-free in ip_options_build(). A similar issue exists with request socket migration (net.ipv4.tcp_migrate_req=1, or a BPF_SK_REUSEPORT_SELECT_OR_MIGRATE program). reqsk_timer_handler() clones the request socket with inet_reqsk_clone(), so that the old request socket and its clone share the same ireq_opt, then reqsk_migrate_reset() clears the pointer in the old one. Another cpu holding a reference on the old request socket can still be using these options (sending a SYNACK, or creating a child in tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock()) when the clone is freed, and tcp_v4_reqsk_destructor() also uses a plain kfree(). Readers already use RCU, and other paths replacing inet_opt (do_ip_setsockopt(), cipso_v4_sock_setattr()...) already use kfree_rcu(). Use kfree_rcu() in inet_sock_destruct() and tcp_v4_reqsk_destructor() as well. IPv6 is not affected by the first issue, because tcp_v6_syn_recv_sock() duplicates the options. tcp_v6_reqsk_destructor() has the same migration issue with ipv6_opt, which is only set by CALIPSO. This will be addressed in a separate patch.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 15, 2026, 1:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Nov. 3, 2026, 7:20 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2026-98432
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 |
Solution
- Update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version.
- Apply the specific patch for CVE-2023-32250.
- Ensure RCU grace periods are respected.
- Use kfree_rcu for freeing options.
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-2026-98432.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98432 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-2026-98432
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-2026-98432 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
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TheCyberThrone
CVE-2026-98432: Critical Linux Kernel Use-After-Free Flaw
The Linux kernel sits at the heart of servers, cloud infrastructure, containers and several enterprise platforms. A vulnerability in its networking stack is therefore something administrators cannot a ... Read more
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Dark Reading
Claude Model Builds Exploits Across Major Browsers & OSes
Source: Algi Febri Sugita via ShutterstockAn unreleased version of Claude identified critical vulnerabilities in some of the world's most widely used browsers and operating systems and chained them in ... Read more
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The Hacker News
Linux Kernel TCP Flaw With 9.8 CVSS Score Affects Ubuntu, Red Hat and Other Distributions
A flaw in the Linux kernel's TCP code, tracked as CVE-2026-98432, affects Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and other Linux distributions. The kernel's own CVE team rates it 9.8 out of 10 on th ... Read more
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The Hacker News
Anthropic's Unreleased AI Model Chains Flaws Into Working Chrome, Safari, Windows and Linux Exploits
An unreleased Anthropic AI model found security flaws in Chrome, Safari, Android, Windows, and Linux and chained them into working proof-of-concept exploits, the company said in its latest report. The ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-98432 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 af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 03, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/11/03/1 -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Oct. 31, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/31/5 -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Oct. 30, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/30/6 -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Oct. 30, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/30/1 -
CVE Modified by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Oct. 24, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H -
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-2026-98432.json">CVE-2026-98432</a> -
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Oct. 15, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: free inet_opt and ireq_opt after an RCU grace period tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() transfers ownership of ireq->ireq_opt to the child socket (newinet->inet_opt) without copying it. Another cpu can concurrently process a retransmitted SYN for the same request socket, and send a SYNACK from tcp_check_req(). tcp_v4_send_synack() and inet_csk_route_req() read ireq->ireq_opt under rcu_read_lock() only, and ip_build_and_send_pkt() and ip_options_build() then read opt->optlen twice. Note that the SYNACK timer itself is not an issue: it holds a reference on its request socket, and inet_csk_reqsk_queue_drop() calls timer_delete_sync() before the child can be freed. Since commit 079096f103fa ("tcp/dccp: install syn_recv requests into ehash table"), request sockets are processed without holding the listener lock, so nothing prevents the child socket from being freed while the SYNACK is still being built. TCP child sockets do not have SOCK_RCU_FREE, and inet_sock_destruct() frees inet_opt with a plain kfree(), leading to a use-after-free in ip_options_build(). A similar issue exists with request socket migration (net.ipv4.tcp_migrate_req=1, or a BPF_SK_REUSEPORT_SELECT_OR_MIGRATE program). reqsk_timer_handler() clones the request socket with inet_reqsk_clone(), so that the old request socket and its clone share the same ireq_opt, then reqsk_migrate_reset() clears the pointer in the old one. Another cpu holding a reference on the old request socket can still be using these options (sending a SYNACK, or creating a child in tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock()) when the clone is freed, and tcp_v4_reqsk_destructor() also uses a plain kfree(). Readers already use RCU, and other paths replacing inet_opt (do_ip_setsockopt(), cipso_v4_sock_setattr()...) already use kfree_rcu(). Use kfree_rcu() in inet_sock_destruct() and tcp_v4_reqsk_destructor() as well. IPv6 is not affected by the first issue, because tcp_v6_syn_recv_sock() duplicates the options. tcp_v6_reqsk_destructor() has the same migration issue with ipv6_opt, which is only set by CALIPSO. This will be addressed in a separate patch. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98432.json">CVE-2026-98432</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/11a03ce3c4a62d84c10ccdfe47f8075006498568 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/26d4c36d318cffbbd160884a0e4cec0da4da4936 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/742f73df544e03744f2981c467d6542fe8172a2a Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89b5b1eb7d633c33832b7ff2c02e19a144705036 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/95a8c8fa9f27dce64c40c41c062de7728bf34ab5 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a47406c769f72c070386985488f1c4d057df86b2 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b3b027ef0cd322bfa839b9aaf5b27551eea54cf6 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e3f33b0a1d89d738e2b913dab519226eaf76e15b