CVE-2026-98196

Kernel use-after-free via non-synchronous timer cancellation

Published Oct 6, 2026 · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A use-after-free in the Linux brcmsmac Wi-Fi driver accesses freed timer memory when callback execution overlaps teardown. brcms_free_timer() frees the timer after brcms_del_timer() calls cancel_delayed_work(), which does not wait for a running _brcms_timer callback. The path requires brcmsmac to be in use and a callback to remain active during teardown; the upstream patch identifies no attacker-controlled trigger or demonstrated consequence beyond invalid memory access.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability0.18%
Next 30 days · Oct 19, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A use-after-free in the Linux brcmsmac Wi-Fi driver accesses freed timer memory when callback execution overlaps teardown. brcms_free_timer() frees the timer after brcms_del_timer() calls cancel_delayed_work(), which does not wait for a running _brcms_timer callback. The path requires brcmsmac to be in use and a callback to remain active during teardown; the upstream patch identifies no attacker-controlled trigger or demonstrated consequence beyond invalid memory access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-98196
Published
Oct 6, 2026
Updated
Oct 6, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
Unavailable
Attack vector
Unavailable
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 6, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 6, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.2
  2. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <050d2486e8ed2c0a23b87249ccd23e8072721391
  3. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <10eeb0b29fd7f52487c9ae573e8d79c210a0095d
  4. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <1edb3ddd261e973a4d577c0547e63bfa25a8170d
  5. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <1eeca1d5e0920fbdad6449768fd2d4364e714180
  6. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <2a4841ff0b74b495cddd31ae324e922217fc2f13
  7. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <74acccc928851f69184271832d690607877122af
  8. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <777cb6bba59e875b16a1d8897a483a5fecfcd5d2
  9. Affected versionversion=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <856dabd5f2617efb23c043be9e1b22a9e6e97c41

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorUnavailable in this record.
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=3.2; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <050d2486e8ed2c0a23b87249ccd23e8072721391; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <10eeb0b29fd7f52487c9ae573e8d79c210a0095d; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <1edb3ddd261e973a4d577c0547e63bfa25a8170d; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <1eeca1d5e0920fbdad6449768fd2d4364e714180; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <2a4841ff0b74b495cddd31ae324e922217fc2f13; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <74acccc928851f69184271832d690607877122af; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <777cb6bba59e875b16a1d8897a483a5fecfcd5d2; version=5b435de0d786869c95d1962121af0d7df2542009 <856dabd5f2617efb23c043be9e1b22a9e6e97c41

Published CVSS scores

No CVSS assessment is available in this record.

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.

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No observations available

Sep 22, 2026Sep 28, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 28, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
VectorUnavailable
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

No sourced classifications are available.

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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