CVE-2026-98281

Received Received - Intake

BaseFortify

Publication date: 2026-10-06

Last updated on: 2026-10-19

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: futex: Also allocate private hash on vfork() As Jann demonstrated, it is entirely feasible to access the mm through vfork(). Therefore we need to allocate a private hash on vfork() as well as any other CLONE_VM user. Specifically, it must be avoided to have (private) futex waiters before allocating the private hash.

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Meta Information

Published

2026-10-06

Last Modified

2026-10-19

Generated

2026-11-08

AI Q&A

2026-10-06

EPSS Evaluated

2026-11-07

NVD

CVE-2026-98281

EUVD

EUVD-2026-93209

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
Linux	Linux	1dcd36420af2da5bd59306dba9caf78e3d248b1d
Linux	Linux	ee9dce44362b2d8132c32964656ab6dff7dfbc6a
Linux	Linux	ee9dce44362b2d8132c32964656ab6dff7dfbc6a
Linux	Linux	974ac49a9a068b0591a59f65c63eb06579a13091
Linux	Linux	6.18.33
Linux	Linux	7.0.10
Linux	Linux	7.1

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves a flaw in the futex (fast userspace mutex) mechanism. When a process uses vfork(), it shares memory with its child process. The issue is that private futex waiters could access memory improperly before a private hash is allocated, potentially allowing unauthorized access or manipulation of memory.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's futex implementation and requires kernel-level detection. No direct network or system commands are provided in the context to detect this issue. Monitoring kernel logs for futex-related errors or crashes may indicate exploitation attempts.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to escalate privileges, execute arbitrary code, or cause a denial of service by exploiting improper memory access during futex operations. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions are at risk.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability does not directly affect compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or similar standards as it is a low-level kernel issue related to futex operations and memory access during vfork(). There is no evidence in the provided context that this vulnerability impacts data protection, privacy, or security controls required by these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Update the Linux kernel to the latest patched version to resolve the futex vulnerability related to vfork() and private hash allocation. Monitor kernel security advisories for updates.

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