CVE-2026-98305: Linux Vulnerability (CVSS 7.8)

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: dsa: mxl862xx: disable the stats poll on teardown mxl862xx_setup() arms the stats poll before mxl862xx_setup_mdio(), and nothing stops it until dsa_register_switch() has returned an error to mxl862xx_probe(). DSA frees the dsa_port list before it returns, so a poll that fires once .setup or a later step of dsa_tree_setup() has failed walks freed ports. On shutdown the user ports stay registered, and the WORK_STOPPED flag test in mxl862xx_get_stats64() is not atomic with the cancel in mxl862xx_shutdown(), so a re-arm that read the flag before it was set queues the poll after cancel_delayed_work_sync() has returned. Arm the poll once .setup has succeeded and stop it from a .teardown op, which DSA calls on unregister and after a failed registration, in both cases before it frees the ports. Use disable_delayed_work_sync() there and in shutdown(): it drains a running poll as the cancel did and turns every later attempt to queue the work into a no-op, so the re-arm cannot bring the poll back. remove() and the probe error path only set WORK_STOPPED, which crc_err_work tests before it walks the ports.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.16%

4.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux	>= a21d33a5265f0b31d935a8b9b2b6faefb5185911, < 97df811a11d4f76bc2ffe67b6bf730263f56c668; >= a21d33a5265f0b31d935a8b9b2b6faefb5185911, < 9e92ad4630f5dd1838ce6bbe6b1bd2c73d34de36
Linux	Linux	7.1

References

Timeline

Published: Oct 6, 2026
Last Modified: Oct 7, 2026
Status: Received

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-98305?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: dsa: mxl862xx: disable the stats poll on teardown mxl862xx_setup() arms the stats poll before mxl862xx_setup_mdio(), and nothing stops it until dsa_register_switch() has returned an error to mxl862xx_probe(). DSA frees the dsa_port list before it returns, so a poll that fires once .setup or a later step of dsa_tree_setup() has failed walks freed ports. On shutdown the user ports stay registered, and the WORK_STOPPED flag test in mxl862xx_get_stats64() is not atomic with the cancel in mxl862xx_shutdown(), so a re-arm that read the flag before it was set queues the poll after cancel_delayed_work_sync() has returned. Arm the poll once .setup has succeeded and stop it from a .teardown op, which DSA calls on unregister and after a failed registration, in both cases before it frees the ports. Use disable_delayed_work_sync() there and in shutdown(): it drains a running poll as the cancel did and turns every later attempt to queue the work into a no-op, so the re-arm cannot bring the poll back. remove() and the probe error path only set WORK_STOPPED, which crc_err_work tests before it walks the ports.

How severe is CVE-2026-98305?

CVE-2026-98305 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.16% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-98305?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

How Strix Helps

Related CVEs from 2026

View all 2026CVEs →