CVE-2026-98628: Linux Vulnerability

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Make post-verification instruction rewrites killable After do_check() returns, the verifier runs several instruction rewrite passes. Some of them patch or remove one instruction at a time. Each operation moves the remaining instruction and auxiliary-data arrays and adjusts all branch offsets, making the overall work quadratic in the program length. A privileged loader can submit 131072 unconditional jumps by zero followed by a valid return. Verification finishes quickly, but bpf_opt_remove_nops() then spends a long time removing each jump separately. Since this post-verification work neither checks for signals nor reschedules, a pending SIGKILL cannot terminate the task until the rewrite finishes. Make bpf_patch_insn_data() and verifier_remove_insns() common cancellation and rescheduling points. These helpers run from BPF_PROG_LOAD process context, and bpf_patch_insn_data() can already sleep while reallocating auxiliary data. Report interrupted constant blinding as -EINTR and propagate it through both JIT paths, including kernels that permit interpreter fallback. Other blinding failures retain the existing fallback behavior. This does not reduce the quadratic cost of the rewrite passes, but it makes the work preemptible and allows a killed loader to be torn down promptly.

Affected Software

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

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux	>= 52875a04f4b26e7ef30a288ea096f7cfec0e93cd, < 56dc616d7a1f7d134d3e101c455e62b0a24d0cfd; >= 52875a04f4b26e7ef30a288ea096f7cfec0e93cd, < 261b61d3735b042ae25634f795c4540be0fc140c
Linux	Linux	5.1

References

Timeline

Published: Oct 18, 2026
Last Modified: Oct 19, 2026
Status: Received

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-98628?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Make post-verification instruction rewrites killable After do_check() returns, the verifier runs several instruction rewrite passes. Some of them patch or remove one instruction at a time. Each operation moves the remaining instruction and auxiliary-data arrays and adjusts all branch offsets, making the overall work quadratic in the program length. A privileged loader can submit 131072 unconditional jumps by zero followed by a valid return. Verification finishes quickly, but bpf_opt_remove_nops() then spends a long time removing each jump separately. Since this post-verification work neither checks for signals nor reschedules, a pending SIGKILL cannot terminate the task until the rewrite finishes. Make bpf_patch_insn_data() and verifier_remove_insns() common cancellation and rescheduling points. These helpers run from BPF_PROG_LOAD process context, and bpf_patch_insn_data() can already sleep while reallocating auxiliary data. Report interrupted constant blinding as -EINTR and propagate it through both JIT paths, including kernels that permit interpreter fallback. Other blinding failures retain the existing fallback behavior. This does not reduce the quadratic cost of the rewrite passes, but it makes the work preemptible and allows a killed loader to be torn down promptly.

How severe is CVE-2026-98628?

Severity scoring for CVE-2026-98628 is pending analysis.

How do I fix CVE-2026-98628?

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.

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