CVE-2026-98042: bpf: Don't resurrect a scalar id dropped by collect_linked_regs()

Severity: unknown
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.2% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-09-25 · updated 2026-10-19

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Don't resurrect a scalar id dropped by collect_linked_regs() check_cond_jmp_op() copies the compared registers into env->{false,true}_reg{1,2} before collect_linked_regs() runs and copies those snapshots back into both branch states afterwards. collect_linked_regs() records at most LINKED_REGS_MAX members of a linked registers group in the jump history and calls clear_scalar_id() for every member that does not fit. The compared register is not exempt from that. As a consequence, sync_linked_regs() might adjust ranges for more registers than bpf_bt_sync_linked_regs() can propagate precision to. Collect the linked registers before the snapshots are taken instead. This might lead to some unnecessary clear_scalar_id's, but from previous testing situations with many linked registers are extremely rare.

Affected products

Linux kernel: 7.1 — fixed in 7.3

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Linux kernel 7.3. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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