Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5 perf perf_allow_kernel text_poke privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.1$0-$5k0.44

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5. It has been declared as problematic. This affects the function perf_allow_kernel of the component perf. The manipulation of the argument text_poke results in privileges management. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-98655. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5. Affected is the function perf_allow_kernel of the component perf. The manipulation of the argument text_poke with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: Require kernel access for text poke events Perf events with exclude_kernel=1 can be opened without kernel perf access. However, exclude_kernel does not suppress text-poke sideband records. Every PERF_RECORD_TEXT_POKE is marked PERF_RECORD_MISC_KERNEL and contains a raw kernel instruction address. An unprivileged task can therefore open and mmap a task-local software event with text_poke=1. Both opening a count-only tracepoint event and configuring UDP GRO for ESP-in-UDP cause updates to inline static calls; the observer receives the relocated addresses of the modified instructions. For a known kernel image, any such address reveals the runtime kernel text base despite KASLR. Call perf_allow_kernel() whenever attr.text_poke is set, regardless of exclude_kernel. Events that neither monitor kernel execution nor request text-poke records retain their existing permissions.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-98655 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. 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 10/18/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068.

Upgrading to version 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 or 7.3-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 8473f44db9f710ea6f8cafb22f2e3ba6cb8ca9a7/e506333d1b9f42f1e402acebf1283af3c44a3809/677d0b51ac1a0db55d768c4c6399210b3de0795b/357e8a77a501d96c9517f01f4a211eed5e9c9184 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: 4.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.1

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
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: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
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 6.12.113/6.18.56/7.2.10/7.3-rc6
Patch: 8473f44db9f710ea6f8cafb22f2e3ba6cb8ca9a7/e506333d1b9f42f1e402acebf1283af3c44a3809/677d0b51ac1a0db55d768c4c6399210b3de0795b/357e8a77a501d96c9517f01f4a211eed5e9c9184

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/18/2026 +23 days Advisory disclosed
10/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98655 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98655
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-421896

Entryinfo

Created: 10/18/2026 19:00
Changes: 10/18/2026 19:00 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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