CVE-2026-98239

Summary

The Linux kernel's LAN743x network driver has a use-after-free vulnerability in its RX checksum processing logic. When packets span multiple receive buffers, the driver incorrectly writes to freed fragment skb metadata instead of the surviving head skb, potentially leading to memory corruption.

Exploitability

Exploitation is moderately difficult as it requires specific conditions including multi-buffer packet reception and a live MTU increase, but could be triggered through network traffic patterns that cause the affected driver to process fragmented packets.

Blast radius

The vulnerability could affect systems running Linux with LAN743x network adapters, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption that might result in system instability or denial of service, though remote code execution is not directly indicated.

Detection

No reliable host or network indicator is derivable from the published description.

Prioritized remediation

Apply the kernel patch that fixes the lan743x_rx_process_buffer() function to correctly set ip_summed on the surviving head skb instead of the freed fragment.

Analysis generated locally by garnet-coder (no data left the box). AI-assisted — verify against primary sources before acting.