CVE-2026-98764 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel developers and maintainers, Linux distribution vendors, users of Linux-based systems, and security teams responsible for vulnerability management and patching. Affected operators should review and apply patches or updates to kernel versions with fixes. Platform administrators should verify FunctionFS configurations and validate endpoint descriptors. Vulnerability management teams should monitor kernel updates and security advisories.

Why it matters

Linux kernel vulnerability CVE-2026-98764 allows for NULL pointer dereference; defenders should verify FunctionFS configurations and apply patches

• Verify endpoint descriptors for FunctionFS configurations
• Apply patch or update to kernel version with fix
• Monitor kernel updates and security advisories

Technical summary

The Linux kernel vulnerability CVE-2026-98764 occurs when FunctionFS is set up with only full-speed descriptors and the gadget operates at a higher speed, leading to a NULL pointer dereference. The issue arises from selecting the endpoint descriptor index based solely on the gadget's speed without checking if the corresponding descriptor is NULL. The fix involves falling back through lower speed descriptors if the current speed descriptor was not supplied.

Defensive priority

Apply patch or update to kernel version with fix; verify FunctionFS configurations

Recommended defensive actions

• Apply patch or update to kernel version with fix
• Verify FunctionFS configurations and validate endpoint descriptors
• Monitor kernel updates and security advisories
• 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
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability. Kernel source code references are available for analysis. To verify and mitigate this vulnerability, defenders should review endpoint descriptors for FunctionFS configurations, apply patches or updates to kernel versions with fixes, and monitor kernel updates and security advisories. Affected Linux kernel developers and maintainers should review and apply patches. Linux distribution vendors should update their kernel versions and notify users of Linux-based systems. It

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.