---
title: "CVE-2026-98281: Linux Kernel - Race Condition"
description: "Linux kernel contains a race condition in futex handling caused by missing private hash allocation on vfork(), letting attackers cause inconsistent futex state, exploit requires use of vfork() or CLONE_VM."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-98281/
---

# CVE-2026-98281 Linux Kernel - Race Condition

Linux kernel contains a race condition in futex handling caused by missing private hash allocation on vfork(), letting attackers cause inconsistent futex state, exploit requires use of vfork() or CLONE\_VM.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

EPSS

0.14% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98281)

## 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:H/A:H

Published

6 October 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98281](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98281)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5468a4855b63b30156a79e5248e01bf1a2c18dd7](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5468a4855b63b30156a79e5248e01bf1a2c18dd7)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b61b6f95d6722ddbbbd09e689fa41b55fd36f9a5](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b61b6f95d6722ddbbbd09e689fa41b55fd36f9a5)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eecbafa8cabbc4d1482f6a5e2acc25a8f934681b](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eecbafa8cabbc4d1482f6a5e2acc25a8f934681b)

[← All CVEs](https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/)

## 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.

[Book a demo](https://panop.io/demo)