CVE-2026-98229

xfrm: save input state data before secpath resets

Published Oct 6, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

xfrm: save input state data before secpath resets

xfrm_input() stores the current xfrm_state in the skb secpath while it
continues receive-side processing. Some input paths can reset that secpath
before xfrm_input() has finished dereferencing the state.

Receive callback users such as VTI and XFRM interfaces can reset the
secpath. The VTI receive path does so before checking whether the packet
crosses network namespaces, while the XFRM interface path does so only for
cross-network-namespace packets. The XFRM_MAX_DEPTH error path can also
reset the secpath before the final drop callback reports the current
state's protocol.

If secpath_reset() drops the last state reference while the state is
concurrently deleted, xfrm_input() can still dereference the freed state
when selecting transport_finish() or reporting the drop callback protocol.

Save the state protocol on the stack while the state is still valid,
and use the already saved address family for transport_finish(). A larval
XFRM_STATE_ACQ state has no type, so retain nexthdr as its protocol. This
preserves the existing drop-path fallback while avoiding the post-reset
state dereferences without adding an extra state reference to every
received packet.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4850-1 linux-6.12 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6568-1 linux security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9022-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9023-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9024-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9025-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9026-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9039-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9040-1 Linux kernel (Low Latency NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9066-1 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9091-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA Tegra) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: save input state data before secpath resets xfrm_input() stores the current xfrm_state in the skb secpath while it continues receive-side processing. Some input paths can reset that secpath before xfrm_input() has finished dereferencing the state. Receive callback users such as VTI and XFRM interfaces can reset the secpath. The VTI receive path does so before checking whether the packet crosses network namespaces, while the XFRM interface path does so only for cross-network-namespace packets. The XFRM_MAX_DEPTH error path can also reset the secpath before the final drop callback reports the current state's protocol. If secpath_reset() drops the last state reference while the state is concurrently deleted, xfrm_input() can still dereference the freed state when selecting transport_finish() or reporting the drop callback protocol. Save the state protocol on the stack while the state is still valid, and use the already saved address family for transport_finish(). A larval XFRM_STATE_ACQ state has no type, so retain nexthdr as its protocol. This preserves the existing drop-path fallback while avoiding the post-reset state dereferences without adding an extra state reference to every received packet.
Title xfrm: save input state data before secpath resets
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 9:16 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 6, 2026, 9:18 AM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:18 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 6, 2026, 12:00 AM