# CVE-2026-98268: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  perf: Fix null pointer access in is_include_gues...

CVE-2026-98268 is fixed in linux on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98268 (version 7.2.8-1), released October 6, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-98268
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a
- EPSS: 0.0016
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Oct 6, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  perf: Fix null pointer access in is_include_guest_event()  A typical module unload occurring event when there is an active perf connection leads to freeing of the pmu pointer. The call log is something like:  ..  __pmu_detach_event  pmu_detach_event  pmu_detach_events  perf_pmu_unregister  ..  __pmu_detach_event() sets event->pmu to null. When the perf connection finally is closed, the following stack trace is observed:   Oops: general protection fault, kernel NULL pointer dereference  ...  RIP: 0010:_free_event+0x3e/0x370  ...  Call Trace:  ...  perf_event_release_kernel+0x260/0x2d0  perf_release+0x12/0x20  A call to mediated_pmu_unaccount_event() inside _free_event() is the root cause of this crash. Adding a check inside is_include_guest_event() ensures we don't accidentally access a null pmu ptr. In addition to this, we will now call mediated_pmu_unaccount_event() before clearing the pmu ptr so that nr_include_guest_events counts are maintained correctly.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.2.8-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98268](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-98268.md) | Oct 6, 2026 |

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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 Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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