CVE-2026-98041 bpf: Don't predict JMP32 pointer vs zero comparisons
A logic error in the Linux kernel BPF verifier allows bypassing safety checks, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-98041?
CVE-2026-98041 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux, published on 25 Sep 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bpf: Don't predict JMP32 pointer vs zero comparisons
Consider the following program:
r1 = map_value; /* low 32 bits are zero at runtime */ r6 = 0xdead000000000000; if w1 != 0 goto l1; l0: r1 += r6; r2 = *(u64 *)(r1 + 0); exit; l1: r6 = 0; goto l0;
At the moment is_branch_taken() reports the jump as always taken, because it does not distinguish between BPF_JMP and BPF_JMP32 comparisons when processing 'if w1 != 0 ...'.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-98041?
How do I fix CVE-2026-98041?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-98041 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-98041 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as AZL-104495, BELL-CVE-2026-98041, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98041, GHSA-2hhx-gj64-2962, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98041.