Improper input validation in Linux kernel - CVE-2026-98916

Vulnerability identifier: #VU157600

CSH Severity: Low

CVSS v4: 4.6 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2026-98916

CWE-ID: CWE-20

Exploitation vector: Local access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a local privileged user to cause a wireless driver to process an invalid link, potentially disrupting wireless operation.

The vulnerability exists due to improper validation of wireless link state in the nl80211_color_change() function when handling a color change request for a link that is not beaconing. A local privileged user can submit such a request to cause the kernel to invoke the driver's color change operation with an invalid link, potentially disrupting wireless operation.

Linux kernel
Debian Linux
Ubuntu
linux (Ubuntu package)
linux-aws (Ubuntu package)
linux-gcp (Ubuntu package)
linux-oracle (Ubuntu package)
linux-ibm (Ubuntu package)
linux-hwe-7.0 (Ubuntu package)
linux-oem-7.0 (Ubuntu package)
linux (Debian package)

Install security update from vendor's repository.

Linux kernel - update to 7.0 rc3
linux (Ubuntu package) - update to 7.0.0-42.42
linux-aws (Ubuntu package) - update to 7.0.0-1016.17
linux-gcp (Ubuntu package) - update to 7.0.0-1016.18
linux-oracle (Ubuntu package) - update to 7.0.0-1015.16
linux-ibm (Ubuntu package) - update to 7.0.0-1017.17
linux-hwe-7.0 (Ubuntu package) - update to 7.0.0-42.42~24.04.1
linux-oem-7.0 (Ubuntu package) - update to 7.0.0-1017.17
linux (Debian package) - update to 6.12.115-2

• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/51423d370739aa3f701fdfbfcc52ecf321dfd71a
• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/55308cee9c2196f39cd1ce8ee6c1fed9e12a00d4
• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dc4713539da73d2d2c03d064b22b0e6ab38bd361
• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e50965c702cfd41eb83464565f6272d4d4bfc00c

• Improper input validation in Linux kernel wireless
• Debian update for linux
• Ubuntu update for linux-oem-7.0
• Ubuntu update for linux, linux-aws, linux-gcp and more