Data integrity loss via overwritten preflush errors
Published Sep 25, 2026 · Updated Sep 25, 2026
Data-integrity failure in Linux before 6.18.52 and 7.2.6 allows attackers to complete persistent-memory writes after a failed preflush. The nvdimm pmem_submit_bio() path copies bio data after REQ_PREFLUSH fails, then lets a successful REQ_FUA flush replace the recorded error. Exposure requires the PMEM path, a preflush failure, and a following FUA operation; the bio can report success despite losing the required persistence ordering.
Summary
What happened
Data-integrity failure in Linux before 6.18.52 and 7.2.6 allows attackers to complete persistent-memory writes after a failed preflush. The nvdimm pmem_submit_bio() path copies bio data after REQ_PREFLUSH fails, then lets a successful REQ_FUA flush replace the recorded error. Exposure requires the PMEM path, a preflush failure, and a following FUA operation; the bio can report success despite losing the required persistence ordering.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-98161
- Published
- Sep 25, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 25, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- Unavailable
- Attack vector
- Unavailable
- 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <6.18.52
- Affected versionversion=0 <7.2.6
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <72561ca1ab96f0f0f32737a6171641e05a318538
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <770a90c2127220f0fc194ce909ad4f0842e141cb
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <c644a2f8fef5618fcf453c591177700fd07dd024
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
No sourced classifications are available.
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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