Linux Kernel up to 7.2.8/7.3-rc4 KVM _destroy_pages_crste race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$0-$5k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.8/7.3-rc4. It has been classified as very critical. The affected element is the function _destroy_pages_crste of the component KVM. Performing a manipulation results in race condition. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98649. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.8/7.3-rc4. This affects the function _destroy_pages_crste of the component KVM. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-362. The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently. 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: KVM: s390: Fix race in _destroy_pages_crste() Use READ_ONCE() in _destroy_pages_crste() to read the crste, avoid dereferencing the pointer multiple times.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-98649 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. 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 10/18/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.2.9 or 7.3-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 90bd832b2bc367991d424d847003ce345b454ffc/4ca00a9154f998116fba9a32cce5bd938d228065 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

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

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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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Race condition
CWE: CWE-362
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 7.2.9/7.3-rc5
Patch: 90bd832b2bc367991d424d847003ce345b454ffc/4ca00a9154f998116fba9a32cce5bd938d228065

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-2026-98649 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98649
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-422175

Entryinfo

Created: 10/18/2026 20:51
Changes: 10/18/2026 20:51 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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