CVE-2026-98438
mptcp: options: fix uninit-value in mptcp_write_data_fin
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mptcp: options: fix uninit-value in mptcp_write_data_fin When sending a DATA_FIN without data, and because the DATA_FIN occupies 1 octet of the connection-level sequence space [1], it is then required to add a DSS mapping with specific values. If the checksum has been negotiated, it also needs to be computed, and included in the outgoing packet, and thus the initial csum data needs to be reset to 0 as well. This is no longer the case since commit cfcceb7a39fc ("tcp: shrink per-packet memset in __tcp_transmit_skb()"), because the whole ext_copy structure is no longer zeroed by default. This seems to be the only case where use_map is changed and set afterwards, so initialising the csum field only in this case, along with other fields for this specific case.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:16 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Apply the kernel patch for mptcp option processing.
- Ensure checksum field is reset to 0 when needed.
- Verify DATA_FIN packet handling 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-2026-98438.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a682067dd7b9dce6b94a0a05661dcc921446402 | |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b110f1dd6cb6a9930503354a01a315e0a821eaa7 |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98438 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-2026-98438
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-2026-98438 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-98438 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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New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Oct. 18, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mptcp: options: fix uninit-value in mptcp_write_data_fin When sending a DATA_FIN without data, and because the DATA_FIN occupies 1 octet of the connection-level sequence space [1], it is then required to add a DSS mapping with specific values. If the checksum has been negotiated, it also needs to be computed, and included in the outgoing packet, and thus the initial csum data needs to be reset to 0 as well. This is no longer the case since commit cfcceb7a39fc ("tcp: shrink per-packet memset in __tcp_transmit_skb()"), because the whole ext_copy structure is no longer zeroed by default. This seems to be the only case where use_map is changed and set afterwards, so initialising the csum field only in this case, along with other fields for this specific case. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98438.json">CVE-2026-98438</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a682067dd7b9dce6b94a0a05661dcc921446402 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b110f1dd6cb6a9930503354a01a315e0a821eaa7