CVE-2026-98937: perf/core: Check kernel access when kernel callchains are requested
Advisory generated from the CVE record, CISA, Exploit Observer and VEDAS: what it is, whether it is exploited, who is affected, and how to fix and detect it.
Generated by VEDAS. Scores as of 2026-11-01 19:19 UTC. Rebuilt every few hours from cve-scores, CISA KEV and vedas-signatures. How this works and its limits.
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/core: Check kernel access when kernel callchains are requested perf_event_open() currently gates perf_allow_kernel() only on !attr.exclude_kernel. However, users can still request kernel callchain collection with attr.exclude_callchain_kernel == 0 even when attr.exclude_kernel == 1. That still requires kernel profiling privilege, but the existing check does not enforce it. Update the permission check to call perf_allow_kernel() when either kernel sampling is requested or kernel callchains are requested. This keeps permission checks aligned with requested data and prevents unprivileged use of kernel callchain capture.
Description quoted from the CVE record (assigned by Linux, published 2026-10-23).
How it can be exploited
Public exploit evidence (Exploit Observer)
Also known as: GHSA-5cg4-h7ff-5xr5
VEDAS cluster: VEDAS:DOOMSDRAGON
Exploit Observer links 1 piece of public exploit code or detection modules that name this CVE or one of its aliases.
Exploit code and modules (1)
Code that names this CVE. A repository can be a working exploit, a scanner, a fake or malware; read it before running anything.
- Code repository: https://github.com/woshigenm/cve-2026-98937
Vulnerability databases and vendor advisories (4)
Catalogue entries, not exploit evidence.
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-5cg4-h7ff-5xr5
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98937
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98937
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98937
4 more references returned by Exploit Observer did not name this CVE or an alias, so they are left out.
VEDAS data as of 2026-11-01T17:12 UTC; fetched 2026-11-02.
Live scores
- EPSS
- 0.002
low predicted chance of attack - VEDAS
- 0.977
strong exploit evidence - On CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Detection rule
- None yet
Who is affected
| Product | Affected | Not affected |
|---|---|---|
| Linux Linux | from 0764771dab80 before 132bee76097b (git commit) from 0764771dab80 before 2581b43e162c (git commit) from 0764771dab80 before 6e187281f978 (git commit) from 0764771dab80 before a4573a3838ae (git commit) | Not stated |
| Linux Linux | version 2.6.31 | 0 is not affected (up to 2.6.31); 6.12.113 is not affected; 6.18.56 is not affected; 7.2.10 is not affected |
Version ranges exactly as the CVE record states them. “Before X” means X is the first fixed version.
How to fix it
No fixed version or vendor advisory is listed in the CVE record yet. Watch the vendor’s security page.
How to detect it
There is no open VEDAS detection rule for this bug yet. It is listed on the detection gaps page if CISA has confirmed attacks.
References
Other references
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/132bee76097be421ab3012130b5b506324cf2be1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2581b43e162cfc43e6f5d8dd8d2b38f3441550de
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e187281f978a2bff98ead6aa40f8ddc9a2c9afb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a4573a3838ae4fc73b70019cfa1dac9aaea7cc2f
Other databases
Where this comes from
This advisory is generated automatically by VEDAS from: CVE.org record, cve-scores (EPSS and VEDAS), Exploit Observer. Text in quotes is reproduced from the source; everything else is a fixed template filled with source fields. Nothing here is written by a language model. Check the vendor advisory before acting, and read how VEDAS and Exploit Observer work, and their limits.