---
title: "CVE-2026-80986: Linux Kernel - Out of Bounds Read/Write"
description: "Linux kernel contains a buffer over-read vulnerability in net/smc SMC-Rv2 LLC message handling caused by unbounded peer rkey counts, letting attackers cause kernel memory corruption or crash, exploit requires network access to SMC-Rv2 link."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-80986/
---

# CVE-2026-80986 Linux Kernel - Out of Bounds Read/Write

Linux kernel contains a buffer over-read vulnerability in net/smc SMC-Rv2 LLC message handling caused by unbounded peer rkey counts, letting attackers cause kernel memory corruption or crash, exploit requires network access to SMC-Rv2 link.

CVSS base score 9.8 /10

Critical

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

EPSS

0.65% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80986)

## Details

Type

Out of Bounds Read/Write

Impact

Denial Of Service

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Published

11 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for bounded peer rkey counts in SMC-Rv2 LLC messages.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80986](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80986)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d1e7c5aaa3326e95e2058457f172ca99a9a4577](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d1e7c5aaa3326e95e2058457f172ca99a9a4577)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/486c699a8cde82c1d9b4f443eeab4ddf86358cb0](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/486c699a8cde82c1d9b4f443eeab4ddf86358cb0)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e5d9e6df677d30a2203d257b5fd8b99814fa607](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e5d9e6df677d30a2203d257b5fd8b99814fa607)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

Panop answers these inside your environment, for this CVE and every other finding.

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