Socket Lifetime Issues in Linux Kernel Affecting Network Performance

CVE-2026-98849

What is CVE-2026-98849?

A socket management issue in the Linux kernel can lead to NULL pointer dereferences during network device registration failures. Specifically, if the newlink operation fails after successfully initializing the device, the kernel improperly handles the associated socket, which can lead to dereferencing a NULL pointer. This issue has been observed during fault injection tests, indicating potential impacts on system stability and network performance. Proper handling of socket lifetimes during these operations is critical for maintaining robust network functionality.

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