Kernel oops via down-interface MAC address change
Published Oct 6, 2026 · Updated Oct 6, 2026
A NULL dereference in the Linux kernel skfp FDDI driver allows local users to trigger a kernel oops by changing a down interface's MAC address. skfp_ctl_set_mac_address() resets the adapter before its transmit queues are initialized, and mac_drv_clear_tx_queue() dereferences a NULL queue pointer. Triggering the fault requires CAP_NET_ADMIN and an skfp interface that has never been brought up; the demonstrated consequence is an oops, not code execution.
Summary
What happened
A NULL dereference in the Linux kernel skfp FDDI driver allows local users to trigger a kernel oops by changing a down interface's MAC address. skfp_ctl_set_mac_address() resets the adapter before its transmit queues are initialized, and mac_drv_clear_tx_queue() dereferences a NULL queue pointer. Triggering the fault requires CAP_NET_ADMIN and an skfp interface that has never been brought up; the demonstrated consequence is an oops, not code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-98302
- Published
- Oct 6, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 6, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 6, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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?
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- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <438131e7ae847e907d345bf504d7e25585561b5c
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <5fd0f401b3eee95c93daa35ef99cb03d676031f0
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <616ba18b2cfb72b7bea214bdd72df2485b2e37dc
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <731db6110b3148331ed8d5d11a564bfd520721d9
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <7c8810c2e69c3d9ca6df870b40ae9218e50b4fb1
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <822903ed991971780db1db1be31a4f00e2b13e30
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <835903bea770ad96ab4322e18d98e00f8e0b39c3
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <d6f63fdb298d546a47790cb373db65462c264d04
- Affected versionversion=2.6.12
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Down-interface skfp MAC-address reproducerproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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