Vulnerability · CVE-2026-98369
xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), skb_dst_force() and dev_hold() for xfrm_trans_reinject()
Published Oct 6, 2026 · catalog updated Oct 15, 2026 · xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(),
Check if you run it
No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2026-98369. EPSS is 0.15%. Act only if a listed version of xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), is installed.
Gaps on this record
- The stored product name is a package slug. The name on this page is taken from the title (xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(),).
- No vendor fix or required action is stored. Compare the linked advisory before you change production.
- Severity
- High7.8
- Known exploitation
- Not in CISA/VulnCheck KEV
- EPSS
- 0.15%
- Remediation
- Advisory link
- Affected products
- Linux Kernel
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), skb_dst_force() and dev_hold() for xfrm_trans_reinject() syzbot reported a suspicious RCU usage warning in ip6_pkt_drop(): WARNING: suspicious RCU usage in ip6_pkt_drop include/net/addrconf.h:389 suspicious rcu_dereference_check() usage! Call Trace: __in6_dev_get_safely include/net/addrconf.h:389 [inline] ip6_pkt_drop+0x596/0x610 net/ipv6/route.c:4620 ip6_pkt_discard+0x1c/0x30 net/ipv6/route.c:4651 xfrm_trans_reinject+0x324/0x630 net/xfrm/xfrm_input.c:806 process_one_work kernel/workqueue.c:3322 [inline] process_scheduled_works+0xa8e/0x14e0 kernel/workqueue.c:3405 worker_thread+0xa47/0xfb0 kernel/workqueue.c:3486 When commit 4f4920669d21 ("xfrm: Reinject transport-mode packets through workqueue") converted xfrm_trans_reinject from a tasklet to a workqueue, the reinjection loop ceased running in softirq context. Workqueue workers run in process context where local_bh_disable() does not enter an RCU read-side critical section under CONFIG_PREEMPT_RCU. Because finish callbacks (such as ip6_rcv_finish) expect to run under an RCU read lock (performing route lookups, l3mdev lookups, and accessing RCU-protected data structures), invoking them in workqueue context without rcu_read_lock() triggers RCU lockdep warnings. Furthermore, packets queued to the workqueue via xfrm_trans_queue_net() may carry non-refcounted (noref) dst entries (e.g. from ip_route_input_noref). Additionally, on netdevice unregistration, dst_dev_put() replaces dst->dev with blackhole_netdev, so dst entries do not keep skb->dev alive while queued in the workqueue. Fix these issues by: 1. Calling skb_dst_force(skb) in xfrm_trans_queue_net() while still in the caller's RCU section to ensure dst is reference-counted before queuing. 2. Holding a reference on skb->dev via dev_hold()/dev_put() across workqueue deferral so skb->dev remains valid during finish() callback processing. 3. Acquiring rcu_read_lock()
Are you affected?
Enter the version you run. The result uses only the ranges stored on this record.
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- Linux Kernel0 → 5.15.222
How to fix CVE-2026-98369
Recommended remediation
A patch or advisory reference is linked. Open the original publisher for availability by product version.
Official advisories
What to do
Three questions, each answered from this record only. Confirm the vendor advisory before you patch.
Should you patch?
No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2026-98369. EPSS is 0.15%. Act only if a listed version of xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), is installed.
Which versions are affected?
Compare what you have installed with Kernel 0 → 5.15.222. Compare the installed version with the linked vendor advisory before you change production.
What should an analyst verify?
No weakness class is stored. EPSS 0.15%. There is no CISA KEV listing. No Exploit-DB or Metasploit reference is linked. Use the source links for the original advisory.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Oct 6, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Detected
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), skb_dst_force() and dev_hold() for xfrm_trans_reinject() syzbot reported a suspicious RCU usage warning in ip6_pkt_drop(): WARNING: suspicious RCU usage in ip6_pkt_drop include/net/addrconf.h:389 suspicious rcu_dereference_check() usage! Call Trace: __in6_dev_get_safely include/net/addrconf.h:389
Oct 15, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Fix available
Kernel fixed in 5.15.222
Oct 15, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Fix available
Kernel fixed in 5.15.222
Oct 15, 2026 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner
Updated
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), skb_dst_force() and dev_hold() for xfrm_trans_reinject() syzbot reported a suspicious RCU usage warning in ip6_pkt_drop(): WARNING: suspicious RCU usage in ip6_pkt_drop include/net/addrconf.h:389 suspicious rcu_dereference_check() usage! Call Trace: __in6_dev_get_safely include/net/addrconf.h:389
Sources
- CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-98369
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2026-98369
30-day exploitation probability 0.1%
first.org - OpenSSF OSV / OSV ScannerPackage advisoryCVE-2026-98369
xfrm: add missing rcu_read_lock(), skb_dst_force() and dev_hold() for xfrm_trans_reinject()
osv.dev
References
Freshness
Last verified in this catalog Oct 18, 2026. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.