CVE-2026-98490
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: openvswitch: conntrack: fix helper UAF due to extensions realloc While calling the helpers, a raw pointer to the extensions area is wired into expectations list: -> nf_ct_helper() -> helper->help() -> nf_ct_expect_related_report() -> nf_ct_expect_insert() -> hlist_add_head_rcu(&exp->lnode, &master_help->expectations) In case the connection is not confirmed yet, more extensions can be added afterwards with *_ext_add() calls reallocating the extension space and leaving the now invalid pointer in the expectations list that is later accessed while removing the expectation. Make sure that helpers are called at the end after all the other extensions are already added. Note that the helper rejection now leaves the mark and labels set, but that's not different from how the NAT was handled before or how the mark and the labels were handled on confirmation failure. And there are no atomicity guarantees provided by the API anyway.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS).
- Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.7% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Record status
- Received
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.8
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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-2026-98490.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-98490. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18866dc1f525f9ee4de7709529d1ae1af8d8e8be
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1a4151e6be57b098b7a5ebfbde58585e83200cdc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5f23080a625dd7855ab91485c8d691a54a1979f0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/84d47a83b7b717576de0defab46b8823a22853b0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f308197395c1a524b736e401cbc8a2ed7d246c9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/afcf362625190c5260530b1d6c7daa98831f6b83
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e02a83bb0b7a203f6a22f55ad5f426765560f811
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f53d13a286fb275bda0efdf445b8a1e4dfcb717b