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CVE-2026-98869

bpf: Infer zext_dst based on static register liveness analysis

CVSS score

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EPSS probability

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Risk score

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Published

3 h ago

Patch status has not yet been verified

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Vulnerability description

DayBreach AI Explanation

Verified against sources

Linux kernel BPF zero extension logic vulnerability

Sources read

1

Source agreement

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Evidence confidence

%55

Short explanation

A vulnerability CVE-2026-98869 has been identified in the Linux kernel due to a flaw in the BPF verifier's 32-bit operations zero extension logic, affecting correct semantics on the s390 architecture.

Why does it matter?

Changes in how the verifier tracks upper and lower register half liveness can allow programs to inject arbitrary values into a register's upper half.

What should be done?

  • Follow vendor advisories and apply available updates
  • Apply relevant Linux kernel patches
Chain of evidence and sources2 verified claims

CVE-2026-98869, Linux çekirdeğindeki bpf bileşeninin 32-bit işlemlerin sıfır uzantısı mantığında bir hata barındırmaktadır.

Yazmaçların canlılık durumunu izleyen önceki adımların kaldırılması, doğrulama yollarında zext_dst işaretinin eksik kalmasına neden olmaktadır.

Show the technical text from the sources

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Infer zext_dst based on static register liveness analysis As reported in the thread [1], the verifier's 32-bit operations zero extension logic is broken. This logic is responsible for correct semantics of 32-bit operations on s390 architecture. According to BPF semantics, operation `w1 += 1` is supposed to zero extend the upper half of the register `r1`. On s390 the JIT relies on the verifier emitting explicit zero extension before such operations. The verifier attempts to minimize the amount of zero extensions inserted by tracking whether upper halves of the 64-bit registers are ever used. Previously such tracking worked as follows: - bpf_reg_state->subreg_def field was set by do_check_insn() for each operation defining lower but not the upper halves of the register. - Whenever an operation reading the whole register was verified, the verifier checked register's subreg_def and set bpf_insn_aux_data->zext_dst flag as true via a call to mark_insn_zext() function. - After the verification was complete, a special pass bpf_opt_subreg_zext_lo32_rnd_hi32() extended 32-bit operations with bpf_insn_aux_data->zext_dst set as true by adding explicit zero extension. Note that the logic above relies on bpf_reg_state->subreg_def, which is a property of a current verifier state. Before the commit [2] two additional steps happened: - The verifier tracked upper and lower register halves' liveness as flags REG_LIVE_READ{32,64} in bpf_reg_state->live. - The function propagate_liveness() called mark_insn_zext() in order to transfer the knowledge about which registers have their upper halves alive (and thus might require zero extension). The commit [2] removed the two steps described above, hence making possible a situation like below: - The register's upper half is set and is used on some verification path P1 and the register happens not to be marked as precise. - The checkpoint C is created while processing some instruction between register initialization and usage. - On some other verification path P2 the register's upper half is not initialized and that path ends hitting the checkpoint C. - In such a case the register's initialization on path P2 would lack zext_dst mark, making it possible for the program to inject an arbitrary value in the register's upper half. This commit replaces subreg_def based logic with computing zext_dst statically, as a part of the bpf_compute_live_registers() analysis: - The analysis now tracks usage of upper and lower halves of the registers separately. - If some instruction defines a 32-bit subregister, but not the whole register, *and* the upper half of the register is alive after that instruction, the instruction is marked as zext_dst. There is one notable drop in precision: whenever a BPF subprogram is called, all 64 bits of parameter registers are presumed to be used. The assumption is that such a drop in precision would not inflict a noticeable performance penalty. [1] https://lore.kernel.org/bpf/CAGKGUv=sOuqQtA1Ub-5JXfA4FPosJFYKAQE4B79cK+P1erxqtg@mail.gmail.com/ [2] commit 107e16979905 ("bpf: disable and remove registers chain based liveness")

This explanation was compiled automatically from the source records. Scores, active exploitation, patch and exploit status come straight from the sources.

IMPACT: Affected Products and Software

Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-98869 vulnerability. Where our threat engine knows the exact affected versions, they are listed below.

IDVENDORPRODUCTACTION
1linuxLinux View
2linuxLinux View
Total affected vendors: 1|Products: 2

RED HAT CSAF/VEX: Product Impact Check

Red Hat has not yet published a CSAF/VEX impact record for this CVE. This does not mean “not affected”.

SCORING: CVSS from Multiple Sources

CVSS Scores

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardised framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and display CVSS scores from several sources for each CVE.

SCOREVERSIONSEVERITYVECTORSOURCE
The sources have not yet published a verified CVSS metric.

Patch and Remediation Guide

Solution & Remediation Advisory

Patch status unknown

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Confirm the affected product and version against the source evidence above.
Restrict access to internet-facing services and apply network segmentation.
Until a patch is confirmed, follow the vendor advisory; do not read an unknown status as “no patch”.
Monitor server logs and network endpoints for signs of anomalous execution.

Public exploit and active exploitation status

Verified exploit intelligence

No verified public PoC, exploit repository or Metasploit module has been found for this CVE yet.

Weakness Classification and Attack Patterns (CWE & CAPEC)

CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorises the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-98869 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-98869 weaknesses.

Official Sources and Advisories

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