CVE-2026-97996: Linux kernel · virtio: fix use-after-free in unregister_virtio_device()
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in caf042153016d651b55d0fb4a63cdf7d0d23dee2 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated High by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in caf042153016d651b55d0fb4a63cdf7d0d23dee2, 951cad50cba89e736afdee4a730e0e52f9245c9b, 77dbd10a701a30fdfea5c3bb7a29163128f9a9c7 +1
Exploitation 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
Upgrade Linux kernel to caf042153016d651b55d0fb4a63cdf7d0d23dee2, 951cad50cba89e736afdee4a730e0e52f9245c9b, 77dbd10a701a30fdfea5c3bb7a29163128f9a9c7 or 3f9a0fceb730f5107d52421ead5568eae25a0049.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available in Linux kernel version 6.10. Users and administrators should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's virtio subsystem was fixed in version 6.10. The flaw occurs in unregister_virtio_device() when debugfs entries are accessed after the device memory has been freed, affecting certain virtio transports. This could lead to kernel memory corruption or crashes. The issue has been resolved by removing debugfs entries before device memory is freed.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/951cad50cba89e736afdee4a730e0e52f9245c9b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/77dbd10a701a30fdfea5c3bb7a29163128f9a9c7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/caf042153016d651b55d0fb4a63cdf7d0d23dee2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3f9a0fceb730f5107d52421ead5568eae25a0049 (opens in a new tab)