bpf: Reject legacy packet loads from callbacks
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 1 without a fix
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Reject legacy packet loads from callbacks check_ld_abs() models a failed BPF_LD_ABS or BPF_LD_IND in a subprogram as an implicit return with R0 set to zero. It calls prepare_func_exit() to explore this synthesized path. When the load is reached directly from a synchronous callback, prepare_func_exit() enforces the callback return contract and marks R0 precise. R0 is not derived from a real instruction on this path, so precision backtracking reaches the callback call with R0 still requested and triggers the "callback unexpected regs" verifier bug. A privileged program loader can therefore cause a verifier warning and an -EFAULT BPF_PROG_LOAD. These legacy packet-load instructions are deprecated. Reject them from callbacks rather than complicating their implicit-return model. Check all active frames before constructing the implicit return so nested static subprograms cannot hide the callback context. Global functions are verified independently with a fresh frame zero, so an active-frame check cannot identify a global function called from a callback. Also check the complete subprogram call graph during stack-depth validation and reject a function containing a legacy load when any caller is a callback. This covers global and static descendants without making has_ld_abs transitive, preserving its per-function BTF return-type check. Ordinary uses outside callbacks remain supported.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 6.12.101 to before 6.12.114; 6.18.42 to before 6.18.53; 5.10.265 to before 5.11; 5.15.216 to before 5.16; 6.1.183 to before 6.2; 6.6.148 to before 6.7; 7.0.10 to before 7.1 | 6.12.114, 6.18.53, 5.11, 5.16, 6.2, 6.7, 7.1 | Patch available | CNA |
| Linux | Linux | 7.1 and later | 6.12.114, 6.18.53, 7.2.7, 7.3 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 6.12.101 to before 6.12.114; 6.18.42 to before 6.18.53; 5.10.265 to before 5.11; 5.15.216 to before 5.16; 6.1.183 to before 6.2; 6.6.148 to before 6.7; 7.0.10 to before 7.1 Fixed in 6.12.114, 6.18.53, 5.11, 5.16, 6.2, 6.7, 7.1 Patch available CNA
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 7.1 and later Fixed in 6.12.114, 6.18.53, 7.2.7, 7.3 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.12.114, 6.18.53, 5.11, 5.16, 6.2, 6.7, 7.1
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.12.114, 6.18.53, 7.2.7, 7.3
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Not affected: 6 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-98044
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-wq8m-pjjr-x46w
- 2026-10-19 Fix available: Linux/[email protected] · CNA
- 2026-10-21 Fix available: Linux/[email protected], Linux/Linux@cebda2a2bb4183550eae9dcf888c16407b4fffda · CNA
- 2026-10-21 1 new reference · CNA
- 2026-11-07 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
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Sources
- CVE-2026-98044 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-98044 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-wq8m-pjjr-x46w · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-98044 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences