Linux Kernel up to 7.2.8 KVM s390 dat_cond_set_storage_key null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k1.80

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.8. Impacted is the function dat_cond_set_storage_key of the component KVM s390. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-98651. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.8. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function dat_cond_set_storage_key of the component KVM s390. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: s390: Properly handle NULL pointer in dat_cond_set_storage_key() Some callers pass NULL as oldkey. Calling page_cond_set_storage_key() will cause that NULL pointer to get dereferenced. Fix by checking for NULL and assigning the pointer to a dummy local variable to avoid crashes.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-98651 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated 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-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 75867536746ab2d034488a6a93ee6cde83553342/88e22ffd1e46b95e40a6afabe486deb1d31a3ae1 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: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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-rc1
Patch: 75867536746ab2d034488a6a93ee6cde83553342/88e22ffd1e46b95e40a6afabe486deb1d31a3ae1

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-2026-98651 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98651
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-422207

Entryinfo

Created: 10/18/2026 21:02
Changes: 10/18/2026 21:02 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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