CVE-2026-98162: Linux kernel · smb/server: fix tree connection leak in smb2_tree_connect()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 1% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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 addresses the tree connection leak by properly disconnecting tree connections on failure in smb2_tree_connect(). Users should apply the updated linux-hwe-edge kernel versions that include this fix. Since the vulnerability is resolved in these versions, no additional mitigation actions are necessary beyond patching.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SMB server component caused a tree connection leak in the smb2_tree_connect() function. This issue was resolved by fixing the handling of tree connections when the function ksmbd_iov_pin_rsp() fails, ensuring proper disconnection of the new tree connection to prevent resource leaks. The vulnerability affects specific versions of linux-hwe-edge kernel releases. The CVSS score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity with impact primarily on availability.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98162 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-98162 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a6c88e5e3a75f1e4a98ad4bc4037465ccd7925bc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/39f2032096715daae5f6fd0f587ca7a474b019df (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98162 (opens in a new tab)