0.0
NA
CVE-2026-98869
bpf: Infer zext_dst based on static register liveness analysis
Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Infer zext_dst based on static register liveness analysis As reported in the thread [1], the verifier's 32-bit operations zero extension logic is broken. This logic is responsible for correct semantics of 32-bit operations on s390 architecture. According to BPF semantics, operation `w1 += 1` is supposed to zero extend the upper half of the register `r1`. On s390 the JIT relies on the verifier emitting explicit zero extension before such operations. The verifier attempts to minimize the amount of zero extensions inserted by tracking whether upper halves of the 64-bit registers are ever used. Previously such tracking worked as follows: - bpf_reg_state->subreg_def field was set by do_check_insn() for each operation defining lower but not the upper halves of the register. - Whenever an operation reading the whole register was verified, the verifier checked register's subreg_def and set bpf_insn_aux_data->zext_dst flag as true via a call to mark_insn_zext() function. - After the verification was complete, a special pass bpf_opt_subreg_zext_lo32_rnd_hi32() extended 32-bit operations with bpf_insn_aux_data->zext_dst set as true by adding explicit zero extension. Note that the logic above relies on bpf_reg_state->subreg_def, which is a property of a current verifier state. Before the commit [2] two additional steps happened: - The verifier tracked upper and lower register halves' liveness as flags REG_LIVE_READ{32,64} in bpf_reg_state->live. - The function propagate_liveness() called mark_insn_zext() in order to transfer the knowledge about which registers have their upper halves alive (and thus might require zero extension). The commit [2] removed the two steps described above, hence making possible a situation like below: - The register's upper half is set and is used on some verification path P1 and the register happens not to be marked as precise. - The checkpoint C is created while processing some instruction between register initialization and usage. - On some other verification path P2 the register's upper half is not initialized and that path ends hitting the checkpoint C. - In such a case the register's initialization on path P2 would lack zext_dst mark, making it possible for the program to inject an arbitrary value in the register's upper half. This commit replaces subreg_def based logic with computing zext_dst statically, as a part of the bpf_compute_live_registers() analysis: - The analysis now tracks usage of upper and lower halves of the registers separately. - If some instruction defines a 32-bit subregister, but not the whole register, *and* the upper half of the register is alive after that instruction, the instruction is marked as zext_dst. There is one notable drop in precision: whenever a BPF subprogram is called, all 64 bits of parameter registers are presumed to be used. The assumption is that such a drop in precision would not inflict a noticeable performance penalty. [1] https://lore.kernel.org/bpf/CAGKGUv=sOuqQtA1Ub-5JXfA4FPosJFYKAQE4B79cK+P1erxqtg@mail.gmail.com/ [2] commit 107e16979905 ("bpf: disable and remove registers chain based liveness")

INFO

Published Date :

Oct. 21, 2026, 3:17 p.m.

Last Modified :

Oct. 21, 2026, 3:17 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

No

Source :

416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-98869 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
Update the Linux kernel to a version where BPF verifier's 32-bit operations zero extension logic is corrected.
  • Update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version.
  • Apply the specific security patch for the BPF subsystem.
  • Verify the BPF verifier is correctly handling zero extensions.
  • Test BPF programs for correct 32-bit operation semantics.
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-2026-98869.

URL Resource
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ce090afbf725e25fff29caacce1eaf8459b1117
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98869 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-2026-98869 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-2026-98869 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2026-98869 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. 21, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Infer zext_dst based on static register liveness analysis As reported in the thread [1], the verifier's 32-bit operations zero extension logic is broken. This logic is responsible for correct semantics of 32-bit operations on s390 architecture. According to BPF semantics, operation `w1 += 1` is supposed to zero extend the upper half of the register `r1`. On s390 the JIT relies on the verifier emitting explicit zero extension before such operations. The verifier attempts to minimize the amount of zero extensions inserted by tracking whether upper halves of the 64-bit registers are ever used. Previously such tracking worked as follows: - bpf_reg_state->subreg_def field was set by do_check_insn() for each operation defining lower but not the upper halves of the register. - Whenever an operation reading the whole register was verified, the verifier checked register's subreg_def and set bpf_insn_aux_data->zext_dst flag as true via a call to mark_insn_zext() function. - After the verification was complete, a special pass bpf_opt_subreg_zext_lo32_rnd_hi32() extended 32-bit operations with bpf_insn_aux_data->zext_dst set as true by adding explicit zero extension. Note that the logic above relies on bpf_reg_state->subreg_def, which is a property of a current verifier state. Before the commit [2] two additional steps happened: - The verifier tracked upper and lower register halves' liveness as flags REG_LIVE_READ{32,64} in bpf_reg_state->live. - The function propagate_liveness() called mark_insn_zext() in order to transfer the knowledge about which registers have their upper halves alive (and thus might require zero extension). The commit [2] removed the two steps described above, hence making possible a situation like below: - The register's upper half is set and is used on some verification path P1 and the register happens not to be marked as precise. - The checkpoint C is created while processing some instruction between register initialization and usage. - On some other verification path P2 the register's upper half is not initialized and that path ends hitting the checkpoint C. - In such a case the register's initialization on path P2 would lack zext_dst mark, making it possible for the program to inject an arbitrary value in the register's upper half. This commit replaces subreg_def based logic with computing zext_dst statically, as a part of the bpf_compute_live_registers() analysis: - The analysis now tracks usage of upper and lower halves of the registers separately. - If some instruction defines a 32-bit subregister, but not the whole register, *and* the upper half of the register is alive after that instruction, the instruction is marked as zext_dst. There is one notable drop in precision: whenever a BPF subprogram is called, all 64 bits of parameter registers are presumed to be used. The assumption is that such a drop in precision would not inflict a noticeable performance penalty. [1] https://lore.kernel.org/bpf/CAGKGUv=sOuqQtA1Ub-5JXfA4FPosJFYKAQE4B79cK+P1erxqtg@mail.gmail.com/ [2] commit 107e16979905 ("bpf: disable and remove registers chain based liveness")
    Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98869.json">CVE-2026-98869</a>
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ce090afbf725e25fff29caacce1eaf8459b1117
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.