CVE-2026-98688: Linux kernel · thunderbolt: Fix NULL dereference in tb_remove_work()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 12:46 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-oem-7.0pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther 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 restores proper locking and NULL checks in the Thunderbolt subsystem to prevent the NULL pointer dereference. Users should update to patched kernel versions that include this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated.
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Thunderbolt subsystem was fixed in the tb_remove_work() function. The issue arises due to a race condition between tb_remove_work() and tb_domain_remove(), leading to dereferencing a NULL tb->root_switch pointer inside tb_free_unplugged_xdomains(). This can cause kernel instability or crashes. The fix involves ensuring proper locking and checks around tb->root_switch to prevent the NULL dereference.