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Use-After-Free Vulnerability in Linux Kernel (CVE-2026-98432)

Use-After-Free Vulnerability in Linux Kernel (CVE-2026-98432)

First seen 29 Oct 2026, 18:44 UTC • •

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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 29, 2026 at 20:16 UTC
  • •CVE-2026-98432 is a critical use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel.
  • •The flaw allows remote code execution through crafted TCP packets under specific conditions.
  • •Patches are available for several Linux distributions, but some are still pending.

An use-after-free vulnerability (CVE-2026-98432) has been identified in the Linux kernel's TCP implementation, specifically in the `tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock()` function. This flaw allows an attacker to exploit a race condition between two CPUs, potentially leading to remote code execution via crafted TCP packets. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux distributions, including Ubuntu and Red Hat, with a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating its severity. The issue arises when a SYN-ACK response is built from freed memory, which can occur under specific network conditions. Patches have been released for several stable versions, but some distributions are still in the process of deploying fixes. The vulnerability was disclosed on October 15, 2026, and is currently considered due to its potential for exploitation. Administrators are advised to apply the available patches as soon as possible to mitigate risks.

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Timeline

2026-03-20
Public exploit for CVE-2026-99999 released
A proof-of-concept exploit appeared on GitHub, lowering the barrier for opportunistic attackers.
GitHub
2026-06-16
CVE-2026-46331 published
Vulnerability assigned a CVE identifier and published in the National Vulnerability Database.
MITRE
2026-10-15
CVE-2026-98432 published
The vulnerability was disclosed with a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating critical severity.
Sploitus
2026-10-29
Patches released for affected distributions
Multiple Linux distributions, including Debian and Red Hat, have released patches for CVE-2026-98432.
linux.oracle.com

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Common questions

Which Linux distributions are affected?
The vulnerability affects multiple distributions, including Ubuntu, Red Hat, and Debian.
What is the CVSS score of this vulnerability?
CVE-2026-98432 has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating critical severity.
Have patches been released?
Yes, patches have been released for several distributions, but some are still in progress.