CVE-2026-98090: Linux kernel · btrfs: restore active device pointers after failed sprout
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in e127ac29a52134d0f4cba39d38e4b375deb3d1aa : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
Rated Medium by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in e127ac29a52134d0f4cba39d38e4b375deb3d1aa, e0b54613aabeb8e9da597f23b90c6a03d0981986, b79b4b29003690acfade8241998fc0104ef9c84c +5
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 to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in Linux kernel version 5.15.222 and later. Users and administrators should upgrade to these fixed versions to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's btrfs filesystem involves improper handling of device pointers after a failed sprout operation. Specifically, when btrfs_init_new_device() switches active device pointers to a new device but the sprout setup fails, the pointers are not restored to the original device. This can lead to a use-after-free condition causing a kernel crash when btrfs_show_devname() dereferences freed pointers. The issue has been fixed in Linux kernel version 5.15.222 and later.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/46863a9f93186e620c70584f91c8d5d95da83eff (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/49179f13c04735c55fd0f43b03696c015b067137 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a0ee38ad6324ac1603079bb785f784191576bd5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2ee5c4bc11007c51f63f0c1be5d3f07f2b404ff7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e127ac29a52134d0f4cba39d38e4b375deb3d1aa (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b79b4b29003690acfade8241998fc0104ef9c84c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0b54613aabeb8e9da597f23b90c6a03d0981986 (opens in a new tab)