CVE-2026-98612 net: usb: catc: bound the RX packet length in catc_rx_done()
A crafted USB packet can cause out-of-bounds reads in the Linux kernel catc driver, potentially leading to crashes or code execution.
- 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-2026-98612?
CVE-2026-98612 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: usb: catc: bound the RX packet length in catc_rx_done()
catc_rx_done() walks a multi-packet URB, reading a two-byte length from each packet header. Its bound, pkt_len > urb->actual_length, ignores the header offset and compares against the whole transfer rather than the bytes left from pkt_start, so a crafted packet header makes skb_copy_to_linear_data() read past the buffer.
A length below ETH_HLEN is also accepted, including zero, and eth_type_trans() then reads a MAC header from the uninitialised tailroom of a shorter skb. The is_f5u011 branch takes its length straight from the transfer, so a zero-length URB reaches the same path.
Track the bytes remaining from the current packet, and reject a header that does not fit, a length past what is left, and a length below an Ethernet header.
A transfer shorter than an Ethernet header, including a zero-length one, previously became a runt skb passed to netif_rx() and counted as received; it is now counted in rx_length_errors and ends the walk.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-98612?
How do I fix CVE-2026-98612?
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-2026-98612 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-98612 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as AZL-108708, BELL-CVE-2026-98612, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98612, GHSA-xhrr-qp73-mj8c, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98612.