CVE-2026-98798
net: bcmgenet: fix NULL dereference in set_coalesce before first open
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: bcmgenet: fix NULL dereference in set_coalesce before first open The Rx ring priv and index are only set in bcmgenet_init_rx_ring(), which runs at open. Setting the Rx coalescing parameters on an interface that was never opened, e.g. "ethtool -C eth0 rx-usecs 50", dereferences a NULL ring->priv. The oops happens with RTNL held, so networking stays stuck until a reboot: Unable to handle kernel paging request at virtual address 0000000000002788 pc : bcmgenet_set_rx_coalesce.isra.0+0x10/0x88 lr : bcmgenet_set_coalesce+0xe8/0x180 Call trace: bcmgenet_set_rx_coalesce.isra.0+0x10/0x88 (P) __ethnl_set_coalesce.isra.0+0x490/0x570 ethnl_set_coalesce+0x48/0xc0 ethnl_default_set_doit+0xf4/0x230 genl_family_rcv_msg_doit+0xe8/0x160 genl_rcv_msg+0x220/0x2a0 netlink_rcv_skb+0x68/0x140 genl_rcv+0x40/0x60 netlink_unicast+0x338/0x3c0 netlink_sendmsg+0x19c/0x3f8 __sock_sendmsg+0x64/0xc0 __sys_sendto+0x124/0x198 __arm64_sys_sendto+0x30/0x48 Set priv and index at probe. Writing the registers while the interface is down is harmless because open resets the MAC and bcmgenet_init_rx_coalesce() reapplies the stored values. It was observed on a Raspberry Pi CM4, but should apply to all other genet devices.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:17 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Apply the kernel patch to fix the bcmgenet driver.
- Update the Linux kernel to a fixed version.
- Set Rx ring pointers during probe, not just at open.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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CVE-2026-98798.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
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weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98798 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
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stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-98798
weaknesses.
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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: net: bcmgenet: fix NULL dereference in set_coalesce before first open The Rx ring priv and index are only set in bcmgenet_init_rx_ring(), which runs at open. Setting the Rx coalescing parameters on an interface that was never opened, e.g. "ethtool -C eth0 rx-usecs 50", dereferences a NULL ring->priv. The oops happens with RTNL held, so networking stays stuck until a reboot: Unable to handle kernel paging request at virtual address 0000000000002788 pc : bcmgenet_set_rx_coalesce.isra.0+0x10/0x88 lr : bcmgenet_set_coalesce+0xe8/0x180 Call trace: bcmgenet_set_rx_coalesce.isra.0+0x10/0x88 (P) __ethnl_set_coalesce.isra.0+0x490/0x570 ethnl_set_coalesce+0x48/0xc0 ethnl_default_set_doit+0xf4/0x230 genl_family_rcv_msg_doit+0xe8/0x160 genl_rcv_msg+0x220/0x2a0 netlink_rcv_skb+0x68/0x140 genl_rcv+0x40/0x60 netlink_unicast+0x338/0x3c0 netlink_sendmsg+0x19c/0x3f8 __sock_sendmsg+0x64/0xc0 __sys_sendto+0x124/0x198 __arm64_sys_sendto+0x30/0x48 Set priv and index at probe. Writing the registers while the interface is down is harmless because open resets the MAC and bcmgenet_init_rx_coalesce() reapplies the stored values. It was observed on a Raspberry Pi CM4, but should apply to all other genet devices. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98798.json">CVE-2026-98798</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d867b91598b6ed2f75998c34f4e2869631da31e Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/19419faf58dfe5bcc8a9e60e622976c5f8e3ddc1 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2294b62eaec6fd3c76a261d287f66641eeafd5f0 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d870102b5425390cab42eebbf3d19ec6a43c6734