Linux Kernel: NULL Pointer Dereference (CVE-2026-98616)
Published Last modified Sources: BSI, Msrc Update Guide, CVE.org
What is affected, what to do
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: eth: fbnic: reset num_napi when the napi vectors are freed fbn->num_napi is the count of live napi vectors, each of which owns an IRQ. The PM path had freed them without clearing the count. fbnic_pm_suspend() tears the datapath down via ndo_stop() and frees the IRQs, but leaves netif_running() true so resume knows to re-open.
Update Linux Kernel to version 6.18.55, Linux Kernel to version 7.2.9, Linux Kernel to version 7.3.
- Affected
- Linux Kernel
lt 6.11..6.18.55 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.19..7.2.9
- Linux Kernel
- Fixed in
- Linux Kernel
6.18.55 - Linux Kernel
7.2.9 - Linux Kernel
7.3
- Linux Kernel
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Metrics
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Priority
No value is available for this vulnerability.
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CVSS v3
No value is available for this vulnerability.
0.2 %
EPSS score
Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 5.8
Show all metrics
- Severity
- Not rated
Priority (0–325)
The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?
Read in glossary- 30.27 Methodology
Exploit maturity
An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.
Read in glossary- no public PoC known
EPSS score
The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.
Read in glossary- 0.2 %
- Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
EPSS percentile
The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.
Read in glossary- 5.8
- Low — this CVE sits in the lower 10% of all CVEs scored today.
KEV status
The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.
Read in glossary- —
- Published
Detection rules
No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.
Classification under NIS2 and CRA
Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.
NIS2
NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.
Read in glossary- Handle the vulnerability in regular vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2.
CRA
The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.
Read in glossary- From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.
Read in glossary- Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: eth: fbnic: reset num_napi when the napi vectors are freed fbn->num_napi is the count of live napi vectors, each of which owns an IRQ. The PM path had freed them without clearing the count. fbnic_pm_suspend() tears the datapath down via ndo_stop() and frees the IRQs, but leaves netif_running() true so resume knows to re-open. Resume rebuilds the datapath in __fbnic_pm_resume() and fbnic_reset_queues() sets num_napi and __fbnic_open() re-allocates the vectors. When the datapath is torn down but never rebuilt, num_napi is left pointing at freed vectors under 2 different scenarios: - a PCIe error recovery that fails (fbnic_err_slot_reset() -> __fbnic_pm_resume() returns an error -> PCI_ERS_RESULT_DISCONNECT), so .resume never runs; or - an __fbnic_open() that fails partway on resume and unwinds, freeing the vectors after fbnic_reset_queues() has already set num_napi. The netdev is then running with num_napi > 0 but napi[] freed, and the eventual remove/unbind close re-enters fbnic_down() -> fbnic_dbg_down() and dereferences the freed vectors: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000210 RIP: fbnic_dbg_down+0x28 Clear num_napi when the vectors are freed: in the suspend teardown (a good resume re-establishes it before __fbnic_open()) and on the resume open failure. A redundant ndo_stop() then walks an empty napi[]. The normal ndo_stop() down/up cycle is untouched and keeps num_napi for the next ndo_open().
Source: BSI WID Portal, BSI CSAF, Microsoft Security Update Guide, cvelistv5, NVD (NIST)
Affected products
The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.
| Affected versions | Fixed in | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux |
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Vendors and products
References & sources
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/4bcc4a92c603fe7f062cea22e20da2e0ad6b12c3
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/4f4b767ffea7653a00904383908536e754f8ef5b
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/c5b5aee41b9f5ed0743344be1c7b544555fa3cb9
Changes to this CVE
Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).
Record modifiedLinux
1 individual change: Affected versions (publisher)
Show the original change
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Affected versions (publisher) added —Affected value modified. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98616.json">CVE-2026-98616</a>Source identifier: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
ReceivedLinux
Description added or changed
Show 5 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Description added —In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: eth: fbnic: reset num_napi when the napi vectors are freed fbn->num_napi is the count of live napi vectors, each of which owns an IRQ. The PM path had freed them without clearing the count. fbnic_pm_suspend() tears the datapath down via ndo_stop() and frees the IRQs, but leaves netif_running() true so resume knows to re-open. Resume rebuilds the datapath in __fbnic_pm_resume() and fbnic_reset_queues() sets num_napi and __fbnic_open() re-allocates the vectors. When the datapath is torn down but never rebuilt, num_napi is left pointing at freed vectors under 2 different scenarios: - a PCIe error recovery that fails (fbnic_err_slot_reset() -> __fbnic_pm_resume() returns an error -> PCI_ERS_RESULT_DISCONNECT), so .resume never runs; or - an __fbnic_open() that fails partway on resume and unwinds, freeing the vectors after fbnic_reset_queues() has already set num_napi. The netdev is then running with num_napi > 0 but napi[] freed, and the eventual remove/unbind close re-enters fbnic_down() -> fbnic_dbg_down() and dereferences the freed vectors: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000210 RIP: fbnic_dbg_down+0x28 Clear num_napi when the vectors are freed: in the suspend teardown (a good resume re-establishes it before __fbnic_open()) and on the resume open failure. A redundant ndo_stop() then walks an empty napi[]. The normal ndo_stop() down/up cycle is untouched and keeps num_napi for the next ndo_open().Affected versions (publisher) added —New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/98xxx/CVE-2026-98616.json">CVE-2026-98616</a>Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4bcc4a92c603fe7f062cea22e20da2e0ad6b12c3Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f4b767ffea7653a00904383908536e754f8ef5bReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c5b5aee41b9f5ed0743344be1c7b544555fa3cb9Source identifier: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
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<a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2026-98616"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2026-98616.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2026-98616 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>