CVE-2026-98496: Linux kernel · net: airoha: npu: cancel wdt_work after releasing the WDT IRQ
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in da9d42531f3a6dfea2e9c775b62a46185dbf280a : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 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 9% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in da9d42531f3a6dfea2e9c775b62a46185dbf280a, aca91d8fa0ecbc990ebf9a688c684dda78a43c00, 4bdee8060d1e4581624e68fbd369b1afb14df4bc
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 18 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 da9d42531f3a6dfea2e9c775b62a46185dbf280a, aca91d8fa0ecbc990ebf9a688c684dda78a43c00 or 4bdee8060d1e4581624e68fbd369b1afb14df4bc.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel. The patch changes the order of work registration and IRQ request to prevent use-after-free. Users should update to a fixed kernel version containing the commits da9d42531f3a6dfea2e9c775b62a46185dbf280a, aca91d8fa0ecbc990ebf9a688c684dda78a43c00, or 4bdee8060d1e4581624e68fbd369b1afb14df4bc. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's airoha NPU driver was fixed by changing the order of work cancellation and IRQ freeing. The issue involved a watchdog work item being scheduled after its containing structure was freed, leading to potential memory corruption.