CVE-2026-98266: Linux kernel · ALSA: core: Fix potential UAF after asynchronous card release
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in fd95e68df6fe66344161a1329cbe5e5805e7b704 : 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 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in fd95e68df6fe66344161a1329cbe5e5805e7b704, 398b21608955c9712a012355b69a39407367edc9, 5c0df40aa577e405c458e44e8d458dd78407f4af +1
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 6 Oct 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 fd95e68df6fe66344161a1329cbe5e5805e7b704, 398b21608955c9712a012355b69a39407367edc9, 5c0df40aa577e405c458e44e8d458dd78407f4af or 2dec4642589a663e064e4411d92d6e8fa250d53b.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| 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 the Linux kernel as indicated by the established fixed commits. Users and administrators should update to a Linux kernel version that includes these fixes to mitigate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the ALSA core of the Linux kernel was fixed. The flaw occurs when a sound card is released asynchronously, allowing in-flight tasks to access freed device memory, potentially causing instability or crashes. The fix involves managing the reference count of the card device to ensure its availability throughout its lifecycle.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5c0df40aa577e405c458e44e8d458dd78407f4af (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2dec4642589a663e064e4411d92d6e8fa250d53b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/398b21608955c9712a012355b69a39407367edc9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fd95e68df6fe66344161a1329cbe5e5805e7b704 (opens in a new tab)