CVE-2026-98388: Linux kernel · exec: do_close_on_exec() before taking exec_update_lock
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in e780259b54e618ceb4763fbc21314acf3565e813 : 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
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 11% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in e780259b54e618ceb4763fbc21314acf3565e813, 955973fff4a36d39a848b00cac1706863f568fe1, 550feab5b01000ab314868b62211fb3ddfd600e8 +12
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 14 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 to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
This vulnerability has been fixed in Linux kernel versions 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.111, 6.18.53, and 7.2. Users and administrators should update to these or later versions to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A Linux kernel vulnerability was addressed involving the order of operations in the exec system call. The function do_close_on_exec() was previously called while holding the exec_update_lock, which can block if waiting on a filesystem response. This blocking can cause deadlocks, especially with FUSE filesystems that inspect the calling process. The fix moves do_close_on_exec() to execute before taking the exec_update_lock, preventing potential deadlocks without introducing file descriptor table access issues.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/955973fff4a36d39a848b00cac1706863f568fe1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/550feab5b01000ab314868b62211fb3ddfd600e8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5aacc19ba2b1faf84c4a2f2cf9a1784e03d1ff38 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3feb4020bfb7ccf0d347f27051639d25e19cd65d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d86cd6b709c39216e6ee5ea8f0fc4242bbb2b53 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/19ddef61ee0a49782a60f8f497e50597ad5de2da (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/63be3d8511bdafa095cd14a393cbf3c58dbbb928 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e780259b54e618ceb4763fbc21314acf3565e813 (opens in a new tab)