CVE-2026-98625 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel maintainers, users, and administrators should assess exposure and prioritize verification of affected versions and deployments. This includes Linux kernel developers, users, and administrators who use netfilter flowtable in their deployments. They should review the Linux kernel versions and deployments using netfilter flowtable to assess exposure and apply patches or updates provided by Linux kernel maintainers to prevent potential use-after

Why it matters

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter flowtable requires verification of affected versions and deployments, and application of patches or updates to prevent potential errors.

• Verify Linux kernel versions and deployments using netfilter flowtable to assess exposure.
• Apply patches or updates provided by Linux kernel maintainers to prevent potential use-after-free errors.
• Monitor for potential use-after-free errors in the Linux kernel.

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's netfilter flowtable is vulnerable to a use-after-free issue. The offload worker publishes HW_DEAD before clearing HW_PENDING, allowing premature garbage collection and potential use-after-free errors. This can result in a use-after-free when the worker resumes and attempts to access the flow object. The vulnerability requires verification of affected versions and deployments, and application of patches or updates to prevent potential errors. Linux kernel maintainers and users should assess exposure and prioritize verification of affected versions and deployments.

Defensive priority

Linux kernel maintainers and users should assess exposure and prioritize verification of affected versions and deployments.

Recommended defensive actions

• Assess exposure by verifying Linux kernel versions and deployments using netfilter flowtable.
• Review and apply patches or updates provided by Linux kernel maintainers.
• Monitor for potential use-after-free errors in the Linux kernel.
• Verify Linux kernel versions and deployments using netfilter flowtable to assess exposure.
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability, but do not specify affected versions or exploitation details. Linux kernel maintainers and users must verify exposure by reviewing the Linux kernel versions and deployments using netfilter flowtable. This includes assessing the impact on Linux kernel maintainers, users, and administrators. The vulnerability requires verification of affected versions and deployments, and application of patches or updates to prevent potential errors. The Linux kernel's netfilter flowable

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.