CVE-2026-98483
Received Received - Intake

Use-After-Free in Linux Kernel NFC Subsystem

Publication date: 2026-10-18

Last updated on: 2026-10-18

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfc: fix use-after-free in nfc_get_local_general_bytes Commit 6709d4b7bc2e ("net: nfc: Fix use-after-free caused by nfc_llcp_find_local") attempted to fix a use-after-free (UAF) issue by invoking nfc_llcp_local_put(local) after accessing local->gb. However, if the reference count drops to zero, local is freed immediately, leading to a use-after-free when callers access the returned pointer. Alternative approaches using dynamic allocation (e.g. kmemdup) introduced memory leaks because callers consistently treat the returned pointer as borrowed memory. Fix this properly by refactoring nfc_llcp_general_bytes() and nfc_get_local_general_bytes() to accept a caller-provided output buffer (out_gb) and its maximum length (gb_max_len). The general bytes are safely copied into out_gb before calling nfc_llcp_local_put(local), ensuring safe lifetime management without ownership transfer complications. Update all callers across drivers (microread, pn533, pn544, st21nfca, digital_dep, and nci) to provide their own destination buffers and pass them to nfc_get_local_general_bytes().

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Meta Information

Published
2026-10-18
Last Modified
2026-10-18
Generated
2026-10-18
AI Q&A
2026-10-18
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-98483
EUVD
EUVD-2026-103723

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 18 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
Linux Linux 96f2c6f272ec04083d828de46285a7d7b17d1aad
Linux Linux fc8429f8d86801f092fbfbd257c3af821ac0dcd3
Linux Linux 425d9d3a92df7d96b3cfb7ee5c240293a21cbde3
Linux Linux 6709d4b7bc2e079241fdef15d1160581c5261c10
Linux Linux 6709d4b7bc2e079241fdef15d1160581c5261c10
Linux Linux 6709d4b7bc2e079241fdef15d1160581c5261c10
Linux Linux 6709d4b7bc2e079241fdef15d1160581c5261c10
Linux Linux 6709d4b7bc2e079241fdef15d1160581c5261c10
Linux Linux dd6ff3f3862709ab1a12566e73b9d6a9b8f6e548
Linux Linux b3ad46e155a6d91b36c6e892019a43e3ef3c696d
Linux Linux e5207c1d69b1a9707615ab6ff9376e59fc096815
Linux Linux 5.10.188
Linux Linux 5.15.121
Linux Linux 6.1.39
Linux Linux 5.4.251
Linux Linux 6.3.13
Linux Linux 6.4.4
Linux Linux 6.5

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Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a use-after-free (UAF) issue in the Linux kernel's NFC (Near Field Communication) subsystem. It occurs in the function nfc_get_local_general_bytes, where a pointer to freed memory is accessed after the reference count drops to zero and the memory is freed. Previous fixes attempted to resolve this but introduced new problems like memory leaks or failed to properly manage memory lifetime.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's NFC (Near Field Communication) subsystem. Detection requires checking kernel versions and NFC driver usage. Inspect loaded kernel modules with lsmod | grep nfc and verify kernel version with uname -a. If using affected drivers (microread, pn533, pn544, st21nfca, digital_dep, nci), the system may be vulnerable.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (system crash) by exploiting the use-after-free condition. It primarily affects systems using NFC functionality, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data corruption if exploited.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest kernel update from your distribution to patch the use-after-free flaw. If immediate patching is not possible, disable NFC functionality by unloading affected modules (rmmod nfc, rmmod nfc_llcp) or blacklisting them. Monitor vendor advisories for updates.

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