Linux Kernel up to 7.2.7/7.3-rc3 VLAN __vlan_del null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.7/7.3-rc3. This issue affects the function __vlan_del of the component VLAN. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-98285. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.7/7.3-rc3. It has been classified as very critical. This affects the function __vlan_del of the component VLAN. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. 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: net: bridge: vlan: fix bugs caused by switchdev deletion errors Allowing switchdev to prevent vlan deletion and error out in __vlan_del could cause multiple different issues - inconsistent state, memory leaks when flushing, NULL pointer dereference on bridge error when flushing. It doesn't make sense to allow it to stop __vlan_del, so log the error and continue with software vlan deletion. This is also consistent with 8021q behaviour.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-98285 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/06/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ed3ea86db736a30bebf49b947c42730e8451bcd2/2842ce397dd09882530b42f7fdb0c855767eb24e 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

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 7.2.0
• 7.2.1
• 7.2.2
• 7.2.3
• 7.2.4
• 7.2.5
• 7.2.6
• 7.2.7
• 7.3-rc1
• 7.3-rc2
• 7.3-rc3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

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

Discussion