---
title: "CVE-2026-98164: Linux Kernel KVM - Race Condition"
description: "Linux kernel KVM x86/mmu contains a logic flaw in write tracking across address spaces, caused by incomplete checks in kvm_gfn_is_write_tracked(), letting attackers potentially cause kernel crashes or memory corruption, exploit requires use of SMM and multiple address spaces."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-98164/
---

# CVE-2026-98164 Linux Kernel KVM - Race Condition

Linux kernel KVM x86/mmu contains a logic flaw in write tracking across address spaces, caused by incomplete checks in kvm\_gfn\_is\_write\_tracked(), letting attackers potentially cause kernel crashes or memory corruption, exploit requires use of SMM and multiple address spaces.

CVSS base score 7.1 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

EPSS

0.15% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98164)

## Details

Type

Race Condition

Impact

Denial Of Service, Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

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

Published

29 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

Weakness

[CWE-670](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/670.html)

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix.

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-2026-98164](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98164)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0a9bd5fca0b5f2dea32b0fc31350e71e8648112](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0a9bd5fca0b5f2dea32b0fc31350e71e8648112)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d8636c8f9f95d0fd1e2f6f1cad0d5757aa6f212a](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d8636c8f9f95d0fd1e2f6f1cad0d5757aa6f212a)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec8fcaf354c1cbb36755d48e9f5a00c9591349e5](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec8fcaf354c1cbb36755d48e9f5a00c9591349e5)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09aa68552d2542cc6c23edd1568ac265dc5d886f](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09aa68552d2542cc6c23edd1568ac265dc5d886f)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f38453cdb2e17566ccb7c0f3dabd5bd21caca26](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f38453cdb2e17566ccb7c0f3dabd5bd21caca26)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/429b6f43b4d8c98988fdca99e02dc156134e3d77](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/429b6f43b4d8c98988fdca99e02dc156134e3d77)

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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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