0.0
NA
CVE-2026-98861
fprobe: Use guard(rcu_sched_notrace) and check rcu_is_watching()
Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fprobe: Use guard(rcu_sched_notrace) and check rcu_is_watching() unregister_fprobe() and unregister_fprobe_async() (used by BPF kprobe-multi) rely on standard RCU grace periods (synchronize_rcu() and call_rcu()) to wait until in-flight fprobe handlers complete before freeing the fprobe. However, if an fprobe handler executes while RCU is not watching (such as in the idle loop or nohz_full extended quiescent states), standard RCU does not track preemption-disabled sections. Consequently, synchronize_rcu() does not wait for those executions, which can lead to a use-after-free if the fprobe is freed immediately after unregistration. Ensure handlers exit early when !rcu_is_watching(). Furthermore, fprobe_fgraph_entry() and fprobe_ftrace_entry() previously used guard(rcu)() and rcu_read_lock(), which invoke lockdep on every hit under CONFIG_PROVE_LOCKING. This adds overhead and can cause lockdep recursion if probed functions interact with lockdep. Since rhltable_lookup() and rhl_for_each_entry_rcu() use rcu_dereference_all_check() (which checks rcu_read_lock_any_held()), holding preemption disabled via rcu_read_lock_sched_notrace() is fully valid and sufficient so long as rcu_is_watching() is true. Define and use guard(rcu_sched_notrace)() across fprobe_ftrace_entry(), fprobe_fgraph_entry(), and fprobe_return(). This eliminates fast-path rcu_read_lock() and lockdep overhead while guaranteeing safe grace period synchronization.

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
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-98861 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.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Linux linux_kernel
Solution
Apply the Linux kernel patch to fix RCU grace period issues and eliminate lockdep overhead.
  • Update the Linux kernel to the corrected version.
  • Ensure RCU is watching before handler execution.
  • Use guard(rcu_sched_notrace) for safe synchronization.
  • Apply the provided code changes.
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-2026-98861.

URL Resource
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a85d0f00671b4d4527317c10ba018680f7d8d673
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd4a0d4993633b45470abf6da4ea0ca563402245
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0a6249190402a28f1e2925a81acf573157d55ef
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98861 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-2026-98861 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-2026-98861 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2026-98861 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. 18, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fprobe: Use guard(rcu_sched_notrace) and check rcu_is_watching() unregister_fprobe() and unregister_fprobe_async() (used by BPF kprobe-multi) rely on standard RCU grace periods (synchronize_rcu() and call_rcu()) to wait until in-flight fprobe handlers complete before freeing the fprobe. However, if an fprobe handler executes while RCU is not watching (such as in the idle loop or nohz_full extended quiescent states), standard RCU does not track preemption-disabled sections. Consequently, synchronize_rcu() does not wait for those executions, which can lead to a use-after-free if the fprobe is freed immediately after unregistration. Ensure handlers exit early when !rcu_is_watching(). Furthermore, fprobe_fgraph_entry() and fprobe_ftrace_entry() previously used guard(rcu)() and rcu_read_lock(), which invoke lockdep on every hit under CONFIG_PROVE_LOCKING. This adds overhead and can cause lockdep recursion if probed functions interact with lockdep. Since rhltable_lookup() and rhl_for_each_entry_rcu() use rcu_dereference_all_check() (which checks rcu_read_lock_any_held()), holding preemption disabled via rcu_read_lock_sched_notrace() is fully valid and sufficient so long as rcu_is_watching() is true. Define and use guard(rcu_sched_notrace)() across fprobe_ftrace_entry(), fprobe_fgraph_entry(), and fprobe_return(). This eliminates fast-path rcu_read_lock() and lockdep overhead while guaranteeing safe grace period synchronization.
    Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98861.json">CVE-2026-98861</a>
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a85d0f00671b4d4527317c10ba018680f7d8d673
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd4a0d4993633b45470abf6da4ea0ca563402245
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0a6249190402a28f1e2925a81acf573157d55ef
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.