CVE-2026-98598

ipv6: Prevent rt6_insert_exception() for dying fib6_info.

Published Oct 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.7 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ipv6: Prevent rt6_insert_exception() for dying fib6_info.

Before the cited commit, fib6_nh_flush_exceptions() always set
from->exception_bucket_flushed = 1 under rt6_exception_lock to
prevent rt6_insert_exception() from inserting a new exception
for a dying fib6_info.

The flag was replaced with the FIB6_EXCEPTION_BUCKET_FLUSHED
bit stored in nh->rt6i_exception_bucket.

The problem is that now the bit is only set when the bucket
is not NULL and fib6_nh_flush_exceptions() is called from
fib6_nh_release() after fib6_ref has already reached zero.

If rt6_insert_exception() is called while the target fib6_info
is being removed via fib6_purge_rt(), a new exception could be
created successfully because rt6_flush_exceptions() no longer
sets the bit.

This creates a reference cycle between the fib6_info and the
exception route, leaking the fib6_info, its nexthop device,
and all per-CPU routes in fib6_nh->rt6i_pcpu, which stalls netdev
unregistration.

[ 34.680602] unregister_netdevice: waiting for gre6 to become free. Usage count = 68
[ 44.920675] unregister_netdevice: waiting for gre6 to become free. Usage count = 68
[ 55.176582] unregister_netdevice: waiting for gre6 to become free. Usage count = 68

Let's call fib6_drop_pcpu_from() before rt6_flush_exceptions(),
to set fib6_destroying before rt6_exception_lock, and check
f6i->fib6_destroying in rt6_insert_exception().

Note that FIB6_EXCEPTION_BUCKET_FLUSHED logic is dead and
we can clean it up in net-next.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-772
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-401
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: Prevent rt6_insert_exception() for dying fib6_info. Before the cited commit, fib6_nh_flush_exceptions() always set from->exception_bucket_flushed = 1 under rt6_exception_lock to prevent rt6_insert_exception() from inserting a new exception for a dying fib6_info. The flag was replaced with the FIB6_EXCEPTION_BUCKET_FLUSHED bit stored in nh->rt6i_exception_bucket. The problem is that now the bit is only set when the bucket is not NULL and fib6_nh_flush_exceptions() is called from fib6_nh_release() after fib6_ref has already reached zero. If rt6_insert_exception() is called while the target fib6_info is being removed via fib6_purge_rt(), a new exception could be created successfully because rt6_flush_exceptions() no longer sets the bit. This creates a reference cycle between the fib6_info and the exception route, leaking the fib6_info, its nexthop device, and all per-CPU routes in fib6_nh->rt6i_pcpu, which stalls netdev unregistration. [ 34.680602] unregister_netdevice: waiting for gre6 to become free. Usage count = 68 [ 44.920675] unregister_netdevice: waiting for gre6 to become free. Usage count = 68 [ 55.176582] unregister_netdevice: waiting for gre6 to become free. Usage count = 68 Let's call fib6_drop_pcpu_from() before rt6_flush_exceptions(), to set fib6_destroying before rt6_exception_lock, and check f6i->fib6_destroying in rt6_insert_exception(). Note that FIB6_EXCEPTION_BUCKET_FLUSHED logic is dead and we can clean it up in net-next.
Title ipv6: Prevent rt6_insert_exception() for dying fib6_info.
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, 9:22 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 18, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:19 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 18, 2026, 12:00 AM