Refcount underflow in Linux kernel SCTP timer handlers
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: 7 without a fix
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The Linux kernel SCTP code from 2.6.12 before the fixed versions listed below is affected. In the timer handlers, the kernel rearms a timer before taking the reference that the timer needs, and without holding the sock lock. A concurrent timer cleanup can then free the transport or association, and the handler drops a reference on freed memory, causing a refcount underflow.
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: sctp: hold asoc or transport before mod_timer() in timer handlers Take the association or transport reference before rearming a timer in the timer handlers. The existing code calls mod_timer() before taking the reference needed by the rearmed timer without holding the sock lock. This creates a race with timer cleanup: if the timer is deleted after mod_timer() returns but before the reference is taken, the cleanup path can drop the timer's reference and destroy the transport or association. The timer handler then takes a reference on the already freed object and eventually drops it, causing a refcount underflow. Hold the object before mod_timer() and drop the reference if mod_timer() reports that the timer was already pending in timer handlers. Apply the same ordering to the proto-unreachable path, which can rearm a transport timer outside the timer handlers without holding the sock lock.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
Remediation
Linux kernel fixed versions are 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9 and 7.3. Red Hat lists Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9 and 10 and OpenShift Container Platform 4 and 5 as affected with no fix available, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 as affected with no fix planned.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 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 →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Timeline
- 2026-10-18 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-98586
- 2026-10-18 Alias added: GHSA-4473-fgjm-w85x
- 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
- 2026-11-06 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Other 7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7dea7eaea20fe9b80f8f77ba44d02b4a17f8050
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f9d929026d487a988bfa12c065f892e823e5b6ab
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9d3d39da054476e7aa05cd877b93ca73a9a77434
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/27c51a9b55b227309161c903f9ecfbf022516bc2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d18cb8fd1b6ba95c85de644203cfe1b071ff0c0f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/35bf3b23c9a871f44c1453d85f8332be4e088dda
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cae23ae3f7887a1cf8a75da38edcebeef695040f
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Sources
- CVE-2026-98586 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-98586 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-4473-fgjm-w85x · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-98586 · 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