CVE-2026-97536: Linux kernel · scsi: qla2xxx: Fix use-after-free of qpair work on queue teardown
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 15:59 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 21% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available that flushes the work item with cancel_work_sync() during queue teardown to prevent use-after-free. Users should apply the official kernel updates that include this fix. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the patch.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's qla2xxx SCSI driver was resolved. The flaw occurs when work scheduled on a workqueue references a qpair that has been freed during queue teardown, leading to potential memory corruption. This is due to the workqueue not being properly flushed after interrupt release and before freeing memory. The issue is fixed by flushing the work item with cancel_work_sync() to ensure no pending work operates on freed memory.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-97536 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-97536 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/19788a55cab61d78e33e0914a5a31d27843e8a4a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1710a69fd74d0b4bdfcc57c3309b1c4057f70d85 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f1f4d1cb93eeeb250eac9405121933e268eefbd3 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97536 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd6c14db0dbb7774278e62c8114902f953540932 (opens in a new tab)