# CVE-2026-98203: Linux kernel soc_button_array null pointer dereference

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-98203-in-the-linux-kernel-the-following-vulnerability-has-been-resolved  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-06. Updated: 2026-10-06  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-98203 · Severity: info · Published 2026-10-06

The Linux kernel's input button array driver handles button descriptors provided by system firmware through ACPI. A missing validation check could cause the driver to crash or misbehave when firmware provides an empty button descriptor, leading to potential system instability or denial of service.

Technologies: [Unknown Linux kernel](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/unknown-linux-kernel). Vendors: [Unknown](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/unknown).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-98203 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-98203 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-98203?** Informational severity, published 6 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Unknown Linux kernel from 4.14 onwards (commit 4c3362f44980 and later).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-98203?** A patch was published on 2026-09-25. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-98203 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-98203?** Check whether you run Unknown Linux kernel at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The soc_button_array driver failed to validate that btns_desc->package.count is non-zero before dereferencing btns_desc->package.elements[0], creating a null pointer dereference or out-of-bounds access condition. The vulnerability exists in the soc_button_get_button_info() function when parsing ACPI button descriptors from firmware. The fix adds a check for package.count == 0 alongside the existing null pointer check for btns_desc.

## Affected products

- <UNKNOWN> Linux kernel from 4.14 onwards (commit 4c3362f44980 and later)

## Timeline

- 2026-09-09: disclosed
- 2026-09-25: patched

## References

- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/12d80e6351556cfecbdd09416e5e4c73d6ca08ba](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/12d80e6351556cfecbdd09416e5e4c73d6ca08ba)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/42c7afc0e5f5b5e12e9689e9a9815b5824cf0efb](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/42c7afc0e5f5b5e12e9689e9a9815b5824cf0efb)

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