Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3 I2C ATR i2c_atr_add_adapter 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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8.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as very critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.157/6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3. Affected by this issue is the function i2c_atr_add_adapter of the component I2C ATR. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-98218. The attack can only be executed locally. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.157/6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3 and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function i2c_atr_add_adapter of the component I2C ATR. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i2c: atr: fix dangling adapter pointer on add failure i2c_atr_add_adapter() stores atr->adapter[chan_id] before i2c_add_adapter() so that the I2C bus notifier can match child clients during registration. On failure the channel is freed but the slot was left pointing at freed memory, which can lead to use-after-free in i2c_atr_del_adapter() / cleanup and also block reuse with -EEXIST. Clear the slot on the i2c_add_adapter() error path before freeing chan.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-98218 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 10/06/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 2f5e42edbd232bf705dc5d3a91e06344237e63bb/1093835f6aef58a831298d93e0d93f244fa07b84/eabf7a3d33cd9fad106d267d00cc842434de8e02/a57d9592714506556e30188af72dd3bdb9f647b5/ad34235808b63a70ca4989b7a2852923193d06ef is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.4

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
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: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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 6.6.158/6.12.112/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4
Patch: 2f5e42edbd232bf705dc5d3a91e06344237e63bb/1093835f6aef58a831298d93e0d93f244fa07b84/eabf7a3d33cd9fad106d267d00cc842434de8e02/a57d9592714506556e30188af72dd3bdb9f647b5/ad34235808b63a70ca4989b7a2852923193d06ef

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-2026-98218 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98218
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-414184

Entryinfo

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

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