CVE-2026-98214 — selinux: recheck intermediate backing files on mprotect()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: selinux: recheck intermediate backing files on mprotect() mprotect() can be used to bypass the SELinux checks that mmap() performs against the intermediate layers of a stacked filesystem. mmap() checks every backing layer as the request descends through the stack. mprotect() only has the lowest backing file in vma->vm_file, so it rechecks the top-level user and the lowest mounter, but skips the mounters of every layer in between. With two nested overlayfs mounts and a policy denying mounter_t -> middle_file_t:file { execute }, a direct mmap(PROT_EXEC) is denied: avc: denied { execute } for pid=71 comm="nested_exec" path="/payload" dev="overlay" ino=9 scontext=user_u:base_r:mounter_t tcontext=user_u:object_r:middle_file_t tclass=file permissive=0 while mmap(PROT_NONE) followed by mprotect(PROT_EXEC) succeeds. Preserve each intermediate path, mounter SID and file-description SID in the backing-file security blob, copying the saved entries when another backing layer is opened. Allocate the array only for nested backing files, and release it and the path references in the backing_file_free hook. During mprotect(), recheck fd { use } and the requested inode permissions for every saved mounter, and include the intermediate layers in the execmod checks. Policy for nested stacking may then need to grant intermediate mounters what a direct mmap() already requires, and execmod on intermediate labels for binaries using text relocations. Tested on arm64 QEMU with a small BusyBox initramfs and a purpose-built SELinux policy, on a mainline tree containing commit f2381b546e7e ("fs: fix user path of nested backing files"). [PM: subject tweak]
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 0.2% (30-day exploitation probability)+2
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
No fix documented by the sources we poll. That does not mean none exists: check the vendor advisory.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Linux Linux).
- No fix documented in the sources: reduce exposure and monitor the vendor advisory.
- Search available logs for exploit probes, errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux |
≥ bc6c380c1159de52a252ed11f19a42c47f60a735 and < 4d50ebe5a27724e020747ffd61a051dec67cb8ec≥ 8bacd09f12c27710228562e4d13163e58c5f4a45 and < 89376fbfdcc1a728e1775f98752cdd90b0930a00≥ d844702198395d3f80222777030f69db6be6b709 and < d127c7e1f3e1231d8ac8b2738e3f00bea12afe74≥ 82544d36b1729153c8aeb179e84750f0c085d3b1 and < c2bbb905af2293549651b614a52ad91e0b462b60≥ 82544d36b1729153c8aeb179e84750f0c085d3b1 and < 78fc54b934bfb2c18aad8154c7302067146946f9version cd0e707a927a70cdfd8bc5a512a9719a87f5ed51≥ 6.6.144 and < 6.6.158≥ 6.12.95 and < 6.12.112 and 3 more≥ 6.18.38 and < 6.18.54≥ 7.0.4 and < 7.1version 7.1 |
Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 13, 2026 → Oct 15, 2026 · 3 reading(s) · max 0.22%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Not enough vector or weakness data: use the affected application’s logs as a starting point.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Record published
- Affected products added · linux/linux
- Source status changed · → Received
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026
References
5 on the record
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d50ebe5a27724e020747ffd61a051dec67cb8ec
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/78fc54b934bfb2c18aad8154c7302067146946f9
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/89376fbfdcc1a728e1775f98752cdd90b0930a00
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2bbb905af2293549651b614a52ad91e0b462b60
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d127c7e1f3e1231d8ac8b2738e3f00bea12afe74
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Critical CVE-2026-99999 ipv4: validate checksum_start before completing checksum 20h
- Unknown CVE-2026-98432 ipv4: free inet_opt and ireq_opt after an RCU grace period 20h
- Unknown CVE-2026-98424 wifi: cfg80211: undo netns switch if renaming the wiphy fails 1d
- Unknown CVE-2026-98425 wifi: mac80211: don't warn when an IBSS has no channel to scan 1d
- Unknown CVE-2026-98426 wifi: mwifiex: fix IRQ leak using wrong index in MSI-X error path 1d
- Unknown CVE-2026-98427 net/sched: codel: bound the dropping loop per dequeue call 1d
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No CVSS score published by NVD, the CNA, CISA or GitHub so far.
- No fixed version, patch or mitigation documented.
- No CISA SSVC assessment.
- No CWE classification.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-98214 is "selinux: recheck intermediate backing files on mprotect()", rated Unknown. It affects Linux (Linux); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. EPSS 0.22% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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