---
title: "CVE-2026-98331: Linux Kernel mac80211 - Use After Free"
description: "Linux kernel mac80211 component contains a use-after-free vulnerability caused by not removing virtual interfaces when their network device is unregistered, letting attackers cause kernel crashes (DoS), exploit requires triggering net device unregistration under specific conditions."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-98331/
---

# CVE-2026-98331 Linux Kernel mac80211 - Use After Free

Linux kernel mac80211 component contains a use-after-free vulnerability caused by not removing virtual interfaces when their network device is unregistered, letting attackers cause kernel crashes (DoS), exploit requires triggering net device unregistration under specific conditions.

CVSS base score 7.0 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

EPSS

0.13% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98331)

## Details

Type

Use After Free

Impact

Denial Of Service

CVSS vector

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

Published

6 October 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for mac80211 interface unregistration.

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-2026-98331](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98331)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/821bab0456dfca12acef6df702c8f2477d313227](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/821bab0456dfca12acef6df702c8f2477d313227)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a22c02863439993095acd0c3db97fa53cd515f4f](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a22c02863439993095acd0c3db97fa53cd515f4f)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b735ad1a9aca6080192c1316cf2706e5e1318762](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b735ad1a9aca6080192c1316cf2706e5e1318762)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d45bf731ec7085d2cc2c5d179d3b3b6c743d4fb1](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d45bf731ec7085d2cc2c5d179d3b3b6c743d4fb1)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eee2efd82867b623982ac51925b5a1812a74c50d](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eee2efd82867b623982ac51925b5a1812a74c50d)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/20a56e96a6f7b4dfbd13f8732fd2673409fc7ba0](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/20a56e96a6f7b4dfbd13f8732fd2673409fc7ba0)

[← 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)