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CVE-2026-98432

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: free inet_opt and ireq_opt after an RCU grace period tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() transfers ownership of ireq->ireq_opt to the child socket (newinet->inet_opt) without copying it. Another cpu can concurrently pro…

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In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: free inet_opt and ireq_opt after an RCU grace period tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() transfers ownership of ireq->ireq_opt to the child socket (newinet->inet_opt) without copying it. Another cpu can concurrently process a retransmitted SYN for the same request socket, and send a SYNACK from tcp_check_req(). tcp_v4_send_synack() and inet_csk_route_req() read ireq->ireq_opt under rcu_read_lock() only, and ip_build_and_send_pkt() and ip_options_build() then read opt->optlen twice. Note that the SYNACK timer itself is not an issue: it holds a reference on its request socket, and inet_csk_reqsk_queue_drop() calls timer_delete_sync() before the child can be freed. Since commit 079096f103fa ("tcp/dccp: install syn_recv requests into ehash table"), request sockets are processed without holding the listener lock, so nothing prevents the child socket from being freed while the SYNACK is still being built. TCP child sockets do not have SOCK_RCU_FREE, and inet_sock_destruct() frees inet_opt with a plain kfree(), leading to a use-after-free in ip_options_build(). A similar issue exists with request socket migration (net.ipv4.tcp_migrate_req=1, or a BPF_SK_REUSEPORT_SELECT_OR_MIGRATE program). reqsk_timer_handler() clones the request socket with inet_reqsk_clone(), so that the old request socket and its clone share the same ireq_opt, then reqsk_migrate_reset() clears the pointer in the old one. Another cpu holding a reference on the old request socket can still be using these options (sending a SYNACK, or creating a child in tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock()) when the clone is freed, and tcp_v4_reqsk_destructor() also uses a plain kfree(). Readers already use RCU, and other paths replacing inet_opt (do_ip_setsockopt(), cipso_v4_sock_setattr()...) already use kfree_rcu(). Use kfree_rcu() in inet_sock_destruct() and tcp_v4_reqsk_destructor() as well. IPv6 is not affected by the first issue, because tcp_v6_syn_recv_sock() duplicates the options. tcp_v6_reqsk_destructor() has the same migration issue with ipv6_opt, which is only set by CALIPSO. This will be addressed in a separate patch.
CVSS 9.8 (CRITICAL)

Attention and evidence

HYPE SCORE
6.2/10
REALITY · THREAT PRIORITY
4.3/10
General review priority; not probability

Evidence confidence: Exploit corroborated; attacks unconfirmed

Why this priority?
  • Technical severity: CVSS 9.8: +3.43
  • Fresh EPSS: 0.76%: +0.02
  • Technically corroborated exploit: +0.90

General review priority, not probability, victim count or asset-specific risk. A range covers missing CVSS/EPSS inputs within the current evidence state.

Sources: 41 documents and public datasets.

Hype components

Headline sample (25%)
10/100
Press, 30 days (60%)
100/100
Grounded branding (15%)
0/100
HYPE TOTAL62/100

Sources and documents

Avisos INCIBE-CERT
Technical advisory · 04 Nov 2026, 08:25 · Uso de memoria previamente liberada en productos de WatchGuard
NeoTeo
Press · 03 Nov 2026, 19:52 · Ubuntu announces CVE-2026-98432 fixes in -proposed - NeoTeo
www.thestack.technology
Press · 03 Nov 2026, 13:38 · CVE-2026-98432: Fears mount over Linux kernel networking bug. Are they justified? - www.thestack.technology
The Hacker News
Press · 03 Nov 2026, 11:23 · Red Hat Patches 9.8-Rated Linux TCP RCE Flaw While Ubuntu Releases Fixes for Testing
The Hacker News
Press · 03 Nov 2026, 11:23 · Red Hat Patches 9.8-Rated Linux TCP RCE Flaw While Ubuntu Releases Fixes for Testing - The Hacker News
See all 41 source documents
Avisos INCIBE-CERT
Technical advisory · 03 Nov 2026, 10:48 · Uso de memoria después de liberarla en productos de Red Hat
NeoTeo
Press · 03 Nov 2026, 09:03 · Red Hat patches CVE-2026-98432 in standard RHEL 8 - NeoTeo
Pluang
Press · 03 Nov 2026, 00:25 · Critical Linux flaw CVE-2026-98432 exposes syst... - Pluang
Akamai
Press · 02 Nov 2026, 20:38 · CVE-2026-98432: A Remote Use-After-Free in the Linux Kernel’s TCP Stack - Akamai
SANS Internet Storm Center, InfoCON: green
Press · 02 Nov 2026, 14:52 · Mutipath TCP: Use and Detection, (Mon, Nov 2nd)
ForkLog
Press · 02 Nov 2026, 13:00 · Solana Foundation Alerts Validators to Critical Linux Vulnerability - ForkLog
Aikido Security
Press · 02 Nov 2026, 10:46 · Critical Linux kernel TCP vulnerability can allow remote code execution (CVE-2026-98432) - Aikido Security
شبكة تواصل الإخبارية
Press · 02 Nov 2026, 09:34 · Anthropic exposes Cve-2026-98432 root exploit on MPTCP Linux - شبكة تواصل الإخبارية
FortiGuard Labs | FortiGuard Center - IR Advisories
Technical advisory · 02 Nov 2026, 08:00 · Linux kernel RCE CVE-2026-98432
SC Media
Press · 02 Nov 2026, 04:00 · Critical Linux kernel vulnerability allows remote code execution - SC Media
The 420.in
Press · 01 Nov 2026, 06:10 · Critical Linux Security Flaw Affects Multiple Distributions as Patches Roll Out - The 420.in
news.lavx.hu
Press · 31 Oct 2026, 00:13 · Akamai Investigates Critical RCE Flaw in Linode Platform, CVE-2026-98432 - news.lavx.hu
SecNews.gr
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 23:00 · CVE-2026-98432: Critical vulnerability in Linux kernel with RCE demonstration - SecNews.gr
BleepingComputer
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 21:09 · Critical Linux kernel flaw allows remote root attacks on MPTCP servers - BleepingComputer
How-To Geek
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 18:55 · Anthropic's Claude AI found a critical Linux flaw that could give hackers root access - How-To Geek
heise online
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 17:24 · Another critical Linux TCP/IP bug uncovered; updates underway - heise online
CSO Online
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 12:29 · Anthropic AI model finds Linux kernel bug that leads to remote root access - CSO Online
CSO Online
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 12:27 · Anthropic AI model finds Linux kernel bug that leads to remote root access
OrcaRouter
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 11:05 · CVE-2026-98432: Ubuntu und RHEL haben weiterhin keinen Fix - OrcaRouter
OrcaRouter
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 11:05 · CVE-2026-98432: Ubuntu and RHEL Still Have No Fix - OrcaRouter
Pasquale Pillitteri
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 09:00 · Linux kernel TCP flaw CVE-2026-98432 has no patch on Ubuntu and RHEL - Pasquale Pillitteri
NeoTeo
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 07:00 · Linux TCP flaw CVE-2026-98432: vendor updates - NeoTeo
Business Upturn
Press · 30 Oct 2026, 03:25 · Linux kernel flaw CVE-2026-98432: why vendors disagree on severity - Business Upturn
Cyber Kendra
Press · 29 Oct 2026, 18:10 · Critical Linux Kernel TCP Flaw CVE-2026-98432 Still Unpatched on Ubuntu and RHEL - Cyber Kendra
Rescana
Press · 29 Oct 2026, 17:39 · Linux Kernel CVE-2026-98432: Critical TCP Use-After-Free, No RHEL or Ubuntu Fix Yet - Rescana
The Hacker News
Press · 29 Oct 2026, 15:57 · Linux Kernel TCP Flaw With 9.8 CVSS Score Affects Ubuntu, Red Hat and Other Distributions
The Hacker News
Press · 29 Oct 2026, 15:57 · Linux Kernel TCP Flaw With 9.8 CVSS Score Affects Ubuntu, Red Hat and Other Distributions - The Hacker News
CyberSecurityNews
Press · 29 Oct 2026, 15:38 · Claude AI Exploits Linux Kernel Flaw to Execute Root Commands Without User Interaction - CyberSecurityNews
Cyber Kendra
Press · 28 Oct 2026, 17:38 · Claude Found 62 Chrome CVEs and a Zero-Click Linux RCE - Cyber Kendra
Cyber Press
Press · 28 Oct 2026, 12:48 · Anthropic’s Claude Chains One-Click and Zero-Click Exploits to Bypass Chrome, Android and Linux Security - Cyber Press
CyberSecurityNews
Press · 28 Oct 2026, 12:32 · Claude AI Builds One-Click Chrome and 0-Click Linux Exploit Chains, Bypasses Android Lock Screen - CyberSecurityNews
The Hacker News
Press · 28 Oct 2026, 08:15 · Anthropic's Unreleased AI Model Chains Flaws Into Working Chrome, Safari, Windows and Linux Exploits - The Hacker News
Cyber Kendra
Press · 15 Oct 2026, 07:00 · Skype for Business Server RCE CVE-2026-70297 Patched - Cyber Kendra
cyberkendra.com
Press · 28 Aug 2026, 07:00 · cPanel Patches CVE-2026-65643 Root Code Execution Flaw - cyberkendra.com
Cyber Kendra
Press · 18 Aug 2026, 07:00 · Apple Patches 122 Flaws including macOS Screen Sharing Flaw (CVE-2026-65400) - Cyber Kendra
cyberkendra.com
Press · 13 Aug 2026, 07:00 · CVE-2026-63520: SharePoint RCE Patched by Microsoft - cyberkendra.com

Score evolution

● Hype   ● Reality

Earlier evidence-support scores are retained in history; this chart shows only the current priority definition.

024681002 Nov 2026 · POC / PREDICTION; ATTACKS UNCONFIRMEDHype 7.2Reality 4.303 Nov 2026 · POC / PREDICTION; ATTACKS UNCONFIRMEDHype 6.8Reality 4.304 Nov 2026 · POC / PREDICTION; ATTACKS UNCONFIRMEDHype 6.2Reality 4.304 Nov 2026 · POC / PREDICTION; ATTACKS UNCONFIRMEDHype 6.8Reality 4.304 Nov 2026 · POC / PREDICTION; ATTACKS UNCONFIRMEDHype 6.2Reality 4.3Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 4Nov 4

━ Hype Score (Perceived)  ━ Reality threat priority. Definition changes are not new attacks.

Public exploit evidence

6

Public exploit entries / repo candidates

See 6 repos with metrics
RepositoryStarsForksLanguageUpdated
Alucard0x1/cve-2026-98432102Python30 Oct 2026, 16:40
H1z3-br0/CVE-2026-9843292C31 Oct 2026, 06:38
tc4dy/CVE-2026-98432-PoC-Exploit92Python30 Oct 2026, 13:51
googlesky/CVE-2026-9843220C31 Oct 2026, 16:10
MikkoAbudo/CVE-2026-98432-POC10C30 Oct 2026, 18:22
offline-ant/tcp2kaslr10C30 Oct 2026, 19:31
Evidence context and dated references

Reality is general threat/review priority, combining observed exploitation, CVSS severity and fresh EPSS. Evidence confidence is separate. This is not calibrated risk, a victim count or an asset-specific assessment. A range reflects missing numeric inputs. Published 21 days ago. Exploitation evidence usually takes weeks to show up: a low reality score can mean there is no data yet, not that the flaw is mild.

Evidence in context

Confidence in exploitation evidence
Exploit corroborated; attacks unconfirmed
Priority basis
Exploitation in attacks unconfirmed; CVSS 9.8; EPSS 0.8%
Attention, last 30 days
35 distinct story titles; 35 press documents; 4 publisher domains.
Technical potential
network access, no prior privileges, no user interaction.
Observed activity
A trusted technical verification is recorded; exploitation in attacks is unconfirmed.
Known scale
Not quantified.
Evidence confidence basis
Explicit trusted technical verification

Score evaluated: 2026-11-05 14:00:33.749271+00:00 · EPSS snapshot: 2026-11-05T12:03:04Z

Primary reports used by this score

  • AWS Security Bulletin

    AWS reports a successful researcher demonstration of remote code execution.

    Scope: Demonstration requires an MPTCP listener and stated kernel conditions. This is technical verification, not an attack report; VulnRadar did not reproduce the exploit.

    Attack observation: not dated; source reviewed 2026-11-02.

Dated reference: Linux kernel IPv4 TCP RCE

Source notes through 2026-11-01; editorial review 2026-11-01.

CVE-2026-98432

  1. 2026-10-31 · Conditional unauthenticated remote code execution

    AWS describes an IPv4 TCP handshake memory issue that can allow unauthenticated remote code execution under specific conditions.

    AWS Security Bulletin 2026-160

Dated reference not reviewed through the current date.

Source event timeline
First press mention
13 Aug 2026, 07:00
Published
15 Oct 2026, 12:08
Latest press mention
03 Nov 2026, 19:52
Score calculated
05 Nov 2026, 14:00
PoCs on GitHub
6 repositories