Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3 xfrm __xfrm_state_delete use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k1.10

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3. This vulnerability affects the function __xfrm_state_delete of the component xfrm. The manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98230. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3. Affected is the function __xfrm_state_delete of the component xfrm. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: use hlist_del_init_rcu for state_cache and state_cache_input Commit 14acf9652e56 ("xfrm: defensively unhash xfrm_state lists in __xfrm_state_delete") converted bydst/bysrc/byseq/byspi from hlist_del_rcu() to hlist_del_init_rcu() so that a second __xfrm_state_delete() on the same object becomes a no-op rather than a write through LIST_POISON pprev. It missed state_cache and state_cache_input, which kept hlist_del_rcu(): - hlist_del_rcu() leaves pprev = LIST_POISON2 (non-NULL), so hlist_unhashed() returns false. - hlist_del_init_rcu() leaves pprev = NULL, so hlist_unhashed() returns true. A second __xfrm_state_delete() therefore enters __hlist_del() on the already-deleted state_cache/state_cache_input nodes and does WRITE_ONCE(*pprev, next) through LIST_POISON2 — a write use-after-free once the slab is reused. The corruption can in turn cause a subsequent hlist_for_each_entry_rcu traversal to follow a dangling next pointer, producing the read use-after-free reported in xfrm_input_state_lookup(). Switch state_cache and state_cache_input to hlist_del_init_rcu() to match the other four lists, closing the write use-after-free and, with it, the read use-after-free it spawns.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-98230 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 10/06/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch fb38fb7420d5f7192f9e2b6ac835ede149cd7ac5/4748c27e2e6a1969e02f1df46e62f79d2799b80b/9b74a47a4cbd0d29faff4f3b199212c73e6b6220/2afb8dc1f4390f164db8352f8e685e126e9db566 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.112/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4
Patch: fb38fb7420d5f7192f9e2b6ac835ede149cd7ac5/4748c27e2e6a1969e02f1df46e62f79d2799b80b/9b74a47a4cbd0d29faff4f3b199212c73e6b6220/2afb8dc1f4390f164db8352f8e685e126e9db566

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/06/2026 +11 days Advisory disclosed
10/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98230 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98230
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-414120

Entryinfo

Created: 10/06/2026 12:56
Changes: 10/06/2026 12:56 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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