Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3 virt_wifi virt_wifi_newlink use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k0.30-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as very critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. The affected element is the function virt_wifi_newlink of the component virt_wifi. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-98311. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. This vulnerability affects the function virt_wifi_newlink of the component virt_wifi. 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: wifi: virt_wifi: don't transfer operstate before register virt_wifi_newlink() calls netif_stacked_transfer_operstate() before register_netdevice(). If the lower device is dormant, that queues the new netdev on lweventlist while it is still uninitialized. If registration fails after that, for example because of an invalid name such as "bad/name", free_netdev() immediately frees the object. A later linkwatch_fire_event() then use-after-frees the list entry. Move the transfer to after netdev_upper_dev_link(), as macvlan and ipvlan already do.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-98311 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. 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 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 ee9ea1afd6990def51d52b3a0aecd5cfcc951da0/9ce26201f6dedf3fa02b97da8c67ee6f6c5f7225/f9526054c2b2cace5916b7225603d008834ec011/e8304e25c6dabb8accf38b807969438d0ce84fd7/ca49763c42c1089d654bf11b037980a9ede3772c/293c56a66510bb7de073a1aba388e38abddff1fb/b808a9af5fd21f9c68b0d024eda7535b5dce6a4e/e5c8d7acd31b27057ea42cd405d0b3ece097bc89 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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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
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

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

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: ee9ea1afd6990def51d52b3a0aecd5cfcc951da0/9ce26201f6dedf3fa02b97da8c67ee6f6c5f7225/f9526054c2b2cace5916b7225603d008834ec011/e8304e25c6dabb8accf38b807969438d0ce84fd7/ca49763c42c1089d654bf11b037980a9ede3772c/293c56a66510bb7de073a1aba388e38abddff1fb/b808a9af5fd21f9c68b0d024eda7535b5dce6a4e/e5c8d7acd31b27057ea42cd405d0b3ece097bc89

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-2026-98311 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98311
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-414244

Entryinfo

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

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