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CVE-2026-98912 Linux CVE debrief

A Linux kernel vulnerability allows an undersized read from the ALSA sequencer OSS interface to appear as end-of-file while leaving an event queued for a later read with a large enough buffer. This issue can impact Linux systems using the ALSA sequencer OSS interface. The vulnerability arises from an inverted check in the snd_seq_oss_read() function, which currently stops when the event is smaller than the remaining buffer, instead of breaking only when the remaining userspace buffer is smaller than the next event.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
Unknown
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-10-23
Original CVE updated
2026-10-26
Advisory published
2026-10-23
Advisory updated
2026-10-26

Who should care

Linux system administrators and users who utilize the ALSA sequencer OSS interface should assess their exposure and verify if their systems are affected by this vulnerability. This includes reviewing system configurations, monitoring system logs, and applying patches as necessary. Additionally, security teams and vulnerability management teams should be aware of this vulnerability and its potential impact on their systems.

Why it matters

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA sequencer OSS interface can impact Linux systems, and defenders should verify and apply patches if necessary.

  • Verify Linux kernel versions and apply patches if necessary to prevent potential issues with the ALSA sequencer OSS interface
  • Review system configurations for ALSA sequencer OSS interface usage to ensure proper handling of reads

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's ALSA sequencer OSS interface has a vulnerability that allows an undersized read to appear as end-of-file while leaving an event queued for a later read with a large enough buffer. This issue is due to an inverted check in the snd_seq_oss_read() function. The check currently stops when the event is smaller than the remaining buffer, instead of breaking only when the remaining userspace buffer is smaller than the next event. This can lead to potential issues with the ALSA sequencer OSS interface, and defenders should verify and apply patches if necessary.

Defensive priority

Verify and apply patches for Linux kernel versions affected by this vulnerability.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Verify Linux kernel versions and apply patches if necessary
  • Review system configurations for ALSA sequencer OSS interface usage
  • Monitor system logs for potential exploitation attempts
  • Perform a thorough review of ALSA sequencer OSS interface usage in your environment
  • Check for any existing compensating controls that may mitigate the vulnerability
  • Inventory assets that may be affected by this vulnerability
  • Consider implementing additional monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts

Evidence notes

The CVE record and source item provide details about the vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA sequencer OSS interface. The issue is related to how reads are handled, specifically when the read buffer is too small to fit the next event.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-98912 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-98912

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-98912 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98912

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • ALSA: seq: oss: Reject reads that cannot fit the next event

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98912.json

    cve_program_cvelist_v5

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b3b4b647313757a275be7f7f9d0415d0a90acf73

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/591226398c1f93bd994678237ff0be229b19d3bb

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/372bec8a01e2ab8eaa6851bdc346ede5f82dba99

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2922cf2583e590f51bed613a6fcd27b9aea83674

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7483fd5f6990f43cc266e94b3f50ce84856ebb97

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/20b8520d1ef996173065f7abdde47b99136c0785

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/611f538253d970f4d152003841544e875828d015

    Supplemental source

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.