CVE-2026-98842 module: fix lost error code from codetag_load_module()
A bug in the Linux kernel module loader fails to propagate errors, potentially causing memory leaks and unexpected behavior during module loading.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-98842?
CVE-2026-98842 is a 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:
module: fix lost error code from codetag_load_module()
If codetag_load_module() fails, err is not set to reflect the failure and load_module() returns 0 after the module has been torn down.
Also, if the module is a livepatch, mod->klp_info allocated by copy_module_elf() leaks on this error path. Free it via a new livepatch_cleanup label.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-98842?
How do I fix CVE-2026-98842?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-98842 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-98842 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-98842, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98842, GHSA-j9p6-994v-55hw, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98842.