Kernel null-pointer dereference via BPF verifier misinference
Published Sep 25, 2026 · Updated Sep 25, 2026
Incorrect pointer analysis in the Linux kernel BPF verifier allows local users to trigger a kernel null-pointer dereference with crafted BPF. In check_cond_jmp_op(), a pointer comparison strips PTR_MAYBE_NULL based only on the other pointer type lacking that flag, even when that type can hold NULL at runtime. Reachability requires permission to load the crafted BPF program, and the resulting availability effect depends on kernel fault handling.
Summary
What happened
Incorrect pointer analysis in the Linux kernel BPF verifier allows local users to trigger a kernel null-pointer dereference with crafted BPF. In check_cond_jmp_op(), a pointer comparison strips PTR_MAYBE_NULL based only on the other pointer type lacking that flag, even when that type can hold NULL at runtime. Reachability requires permission to load the crafted BPF program, and the resulting availability effect depends on kernel fault handling.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-98134
- Published
- Sep 25, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 25, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 25, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 25, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=6.2
- Affected versionversion=befae75856ab406a3f3fab2aa2118cf3b2dfe3e6 <b55c9f019e169ed0d01394f96e172286a8b21b99
- Affected versionversion=befae75856ab406a3f3fab2aa2118cf3b2dfe3e6 <d3ef6c097ba078e1f8c7239d76a0ce8b61e75095
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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