Use-after-free and leaks in Linux kernel LLC header init failure
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Adjacent network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
The Linux kernel from 2.6.12 contains a flaw in its LLC networking code. When MAC header initialization fails, several error paths free the wrong buffer, which leads to a use-after-free and leaked buffers. An unauthenticated adjacent network attacker can trigger this under high complexity conditions, with potential impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: llc: fix skb UAF and leaks on llc_mac_hdr_init() failure In llc_conn_ac_resend_i_xxx_x_set_0_or_send_rr(), if llc_mac_hdr_init() fails, kfree_skb(skb) is called instead of kfree_skb(nskb). This leaks the newly allocated nskb, reads from the freed skb via LLC_I_GET_NR(pdu), and double-frees skb when llc_conn_state_process() drops its reference. In llc_sap_action_send_xid_r() and llc_sap_action_send_test_r(), nskb is leaked if llc_mac_hdr_init() returns an error. Free nskb in all three error paths.
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 | 2.6.12 and later | 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9, 7.3 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 2.6.12 and later Fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9, 7.3 Patch available CNA
Remediation
Upgrade the Linux kernel to 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9 or 7.3, depending on the branch in use.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9, 7.3
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 7 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- 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
- 2026-10-18 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-98555
- 2026-10-18 Alias added: GHSA-q422-9435-7hfq
- 2026-10-19 Fix available: Linux/[email protected] · CNA
- 2026-10-20 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-10-20 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-10-24 CVSS score added · CNA
- 2026-11-06 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Other 8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fec0fe6838a7f45175667701fb51abb23a6ffb1e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b859ba18b5a1067f71db5618c6a4a70d55fa308b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8b855b645841b5a04e20339a22bb6d593c9b790d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d360b31f1a3666579422872aa7d1a751e20b76f9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/060f827aa3dc47939ee306da715cd6700d129616
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/41dcae82bece9f106b4dff0ee777bba8d157c8a8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cb3528ad8bb46fa6252f5d14ced7febddc18515d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/72f9dd522f8d6c5a00be9695c7bb74631eb5069e
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- TI-2022-00125 Integer overflow in kernel KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
- TI-2013-01864 The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
Sources
- CVE-2026-98555 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-98555 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-q422-9435-7hfq · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-98555 · 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