CVE-2026-98119

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfs: break unbuffered write when netfs_alloc_subrequest() fails syzbot reported a null-ptr-deref below [1] following a fault injection in netfs_alloc_subrequest(). [0] When netfs_alloc_subrequest() fails, subreq is NULL. Later, netfs_prepare_write() tries to initialize members of subreq(e.g., source), the issue in [1] is triggered. Let's handle the error of netfs_prepare_write() properly. [0] FAULT_INJECTION: forcing a failure. name failslab, interval 1, probability 0, space 0, times 0 Call Trace: netfs_alloc_subrequest+0x116/0x3f0 netfs_prepare_write+0x76/0x7b0 netfs_unbuffered_write+0x75c/0x2020 netfs_unbuffered_write_iter_locked+0x7d6/0xa80 netfs_unbuffered_write_iter+0x442/0x720 v9fs_file_write_iter+0xbf/0x100 vfs_write+0x6ac/0x1050 [1] KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x00000000000000a8-0x00000000000000af] RIP: 0010:netfs_prepare_write+0xbc/0x7b0 fs/netfs/write_issue.c:173 Call Trace: netfs_unbuffered_write+0x75c/0x2020 fs/netfs/direct_write.c:111 netfs_unbuffered_write_iter_locked+0x7d6/0xa80 fs/netfs/direct_write.c:290 netfs_unbuffered_write_iter+0x442/0x720 fs/netfs/direct_write.c:382 v9fs_file_write_iter+0xbf/0x100 fs/9p/vfs_file.c:409 new_sync_write fs/read_write.c:595 [inline]

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-09-25 11:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-26 18:36 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-09-25 11:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-26 18:36 UTC

Exploit probability

0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-476 · NULL pointer dereference

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 6.18.53
• Linux Kernel < 7.2.7
• Linux Kernel 7.3

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-98119.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-98119. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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