CVE-2026-98539: Linux kernel · fs/ntfs3: use d_instantiate_new() in ntfs_create_inode() and murder syzbot's "WARNING
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 37ec7353f4ac495b28284b0fcb0e53d21d1b3f3f : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated High by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 10% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 37ec7353f4ac495b28284b0fcb0e53d21d1b3f3f, 6fda7121cb6a8ea6fbd77d0f787f04b8e8b5358e, 1ae2a242c15b03470b1b16289298e597bbe3bb29 +1
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 37ec7353f4ac495b28284b0fcb0e53d21d1b3f3f, 6fda7121cb6a8ea6fbd77d0f787f04b8e8b5358e, 1ae2a242c15b03470b1b16289298e597bbe3bb29 or 1abd643f3783ea8f8e273c18697ff0413aa92dc7.
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 patch is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel to fix this issue by using d_instantiate_new() in ntfs_create_inode() and removing the trailing unlock_new_inode() call. Users should update to a fixed kernel version containing the commits identified in the established facts. Since this is a kernel-level fix, the vendor manages remediation for this cloud-hosted service. Check the vendor advisory for confirmation and apply official updates.
Description
CVE-2026-98539 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NTFS3 filesystem driver affecting version 5.15. It involves improper handling of inode creation in ntfs_create_inode(), where the use of d_instantiate() instead of d_instantiate_new() leads to a race condition and lock corruption during concurrent directory creation and mounting operations. This causes warnings and potential deadlocks due to corrupted inode locks. The issue has been fixed by switching to d_instantiate_new() and removing the trailing unlock_new_inode() call.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6fda7121cb6a8ea6fbd77d0f787f04b8e8b5358e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/37ec7353f4ac495b28284b0fcb0e53d21d1b3f3f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1ae2a242c15b03470b1b16289298e597bbe3bb29 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1abd643f3783ea8f8e273c18697ff0413aa92dc7 (opens in a new tab)