Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3 mlx4 register_pkey_tree use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.7$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. It has been rated as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function register_pkey_tree of the component mlx4. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-98217. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. This affects the function register_pkey_tree of the component mlx4. 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. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: IB/mlx4: Fix use-after-free on pkey sysfs registration failure register_pkey_tree() ignores errors from register_one_pkey_tree() and continues registering the remaining slaves. The per-slave error path has already released the pkey parent kobjects, but their pointers remain stored in the device. A later device cleanup therefore passes the stale pointers to kobject_put(), causing a use-after-free. Clear the parent pointers after releasing a failed slave tree and skip unregistered trees during device cleanup. This preserves the existing best-effort registration behavior while preventing a second cleanup of the failed tree.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-98217 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are necessary for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/06/2026).

Upgrading to version 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 791471421d848ce13e84f4b21c9e19973d471c4e/734f066933484f6c7cedea0312763249beed5845/a07bee32127d7c4cd3b1bb9a088e21d0c93634c9/cf20d7476754c00eec04ae23d3e929de33ce0345/0c3482e965b18bc242e54e899d1c4d391ca8e5e3/ffb80872617b5f9b3dd1536ec2909029fa66f228/ced1186fea7c77e16681c7ef4802897885989c3b/1af874e9f4ce22ccf8b10ab5462f32c70d3be21a is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.7

VulDB Base Score: 9.1
VulDB Temp Score: 8.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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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 5.10.271/5.15.222/6.1.189/6.6.158/6.12.112/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4
Patch: 791471421d848ce13e84f4b21c9e19973d471c4e/734f066933484f6c7cedea0312763249beed5845/a07bee32127d7c4cd3b1bb9a088e21d0c93634c9/cf20d7476754c00eec04ae23d3e929de33ce0345/0c3482e965b18bc242e54e899d1c4d391ca8e5e3/ffb80872617b5f9b3dd1536ec2909029fa66f228/ced1186fea7c77e16681c7ef4802897885989c3b/1af874e9f4ce22ccf8b10ab5462f32c70d3be21a

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-2026-98217 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98217
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-414183

Entryinfo

Created: 10/06/2026 13:28
Changes: 10/06/2026 13:28 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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