Linux Kernel up to 6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4 bcmgenet bcmgenet_xmit use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | $5k-$25k | 0.89- |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4. Affected by this issue is the function bcmgenet_xmit of the component bcmgenet. This manipulation causes use after free.
This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-98574. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available.
It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4. It has been declared as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function bcmgenet_xmit of the component bcmgenet. 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. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: bcmgenet: stop Tx NAPI before disabling the queues bcmgenet_netif_stop() and the Wake-on-LAN branch of bcmgenet_suspend() both disable the Tx queues first and stop Tx NAPI several steps later. A completion in flight calls netif_tx_wake_queue() in between, and nothing stops the queue again, so a transmit can reach the rings after they have been freed. Close is safe because dev_deactivate_many() stops the qdisc first. bcmgenet_suspend() does not, so stop Tx NAPI before the queues on both paths. KASAN on a Raspberry Pi CM4, driven from an MTU change because suspend freezes user space before the callback runs: BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in bcmgenet_xmit+0x17f8/0x2258 Write of size 8 at addr ffffff8055844a68 by task ksoftirqd/0/14 bcmgenet_xmit+0x17f8/0x2258 dev_hard_start_xmit+0x13c/0x588 sch_direct_xmit+0x108/0x340 __dev_queue_xmit+0x1190/0x3848
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98574 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. 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 10/18/2026).
Upgrading to version 6.18.55, 7.2.9 or 7.3-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 63bcc2fee6419963e45e7c2cd698fa862409601d/f329d42423089904758f2685cda295de9bf99441/7e87508b5c4d81210d0a736ed01962e52f5c4c56 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.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 6.18.0
- 6.18.1
- 6.18.2
- 6.18.3
- 6.18.4
- 6.18.5
- 6.18.6
- 6.18.7
- 6.18.8
- 6.18.9
- 6.18.10
- 6.18.11
- 6.18.12
- 6.18.13
- 6.18.14
- 6.18.15
- 6.18.16
- 6.18.17
- 6.18.18
- 6.18.19
- 6.18.20
- 6.18.21
- 6.18.22
- 6.18.23
- 6.18.24
- 6.18.25
- 6.18.26
- 6.18.27
- 6.18.28
- 6.18.29
- 6.18.30
- 6.18.31
- 6.18.32
- 6.18.33
- 6.18.34
- 6.18.35
- 6.18.36
- 6.18.37
- 6.18.38
- 6.18.39
- 6.18.40
- 6.18.41
- 6.18.42
- 6.18.43
- 6.18.44
- 6.18.45
- 6.18.46
- 6.18.47
- 6.18.48
- 6.18.49
- 6.18.50
- 6.18.51
- 6.18.52
- 6.18.53
- 6.18.54
- 7.2.0
- 7.2.1
- 7.2.2
- 7.2.3
- 7.2.4
- 7.2.5
- 7.2.6
- 7.2.7
- 7.2.8
- 7.3-rc1
- 7.3-rc2
- 7.3-rc3
- 7.3-rc4
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5
Patch: 63bcc2fee6419963e45e7c2cd698fa862409601d/f329d42423089904758f2685cda295de9bf99441/7e87508b5c4d81210d0a736ed01962e52f5c4c56
Timeline
09/25/2026 CVE reserved10/18/2026 Advisory disclosed
10/18/2026 VulDB entry created
10/18/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-98574 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98574
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-422071
Entry
Created: 10/18/2026 20:10Changes: 10/18/2026 20:10 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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