# CVE-2026-98036: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  bpf: Preserve special fields in recycled rhtab e...

CVE-2026-98036 is fixed in linux on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98036 (version 7.2.7-1), released October 2, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-98036
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a
- EPSS: 0.0019
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Sep 25, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  bpf: Preserve special fields in recycled rhtab elements  rhtab_map_update_elem() initializes special fields after obtaining an element from bpf_mem_cache_alloc(). The allocator can return a fresh, zeroed unit, or recycle one from its RCU-pending lists before the registered destructor has run.  A BPF program can retain a map-value pointer after deleting its element and initialize and arm a timer through that pointer. If the deleted unit is recycled, check_and_init_map_value() clears the only pointer to the timer. Neither a later deletion nor rhtab_mem_dtor() can then cancel it, and the callback can run with its key and value pointing into freed memory.  Do not reinitialize special fields on insertion. Fresh allocator units are already zeroed. For recycled units, the special fields are ownership state that must remain visible to the eventual destructor. copy_map_value() already skips those fields, matching the non-preallocated hash-map path and the lifecycle established by commit 275c30bcee66 ("bpf: Don't reinit map value in prealloc_lru_pop").  [ kkd: Split out the fix and rewrote the commit log ]

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.2.7-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98036](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-98036.md) | Oct 2, 2026 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-08T19:12:23Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data

Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.