CVE-2026-98492 net: macb: fix dma_alloc_coherent() leak on macb_alloc() error paths
A memory leak in the Linux kernel macb network driver allows attackers to cause denial of service by triggering error paths during buffer allocation.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-98492?
CVE-2026-98492 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 18 Oct 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:
net: macb: fix dma_alloc_coherent() leak on macb_alloc() error paths
Fix 3 leaks in macb_alloc() error paths: - Tx buffer allocated but crossing a 4G boundary: Tx leaked. - Rx buffer allocation fails: Tx leaked. - Rx buffer allocated but crossing a 4G boundary: Tx & Rx leaked.
This is because our error handling calls macb_free(bp) which in turn frees the buffers stored in bp->queues[0], but nothing has been stored in there. Fix by storing allocated buffers into bp->queues[0] ASAP.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-98492?
How do I fix CVE-2026-98492?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-98492 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-98492 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-98492, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98492, GHSA-pvj4-6qwf-8pwq, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98492.