CVE-2026-98690: Linux kernel · thunderbolt: Fix domain reference leak when DPRX read is canceled
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 7739b02129b2248f9a8054cfda924fa253f66a88 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 5% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7739b02129b2248f9a8054cfda924fa253f66a88, 2f5893172fc6153f5f1ef34014ddbfcbf1f47f29, 1fd1f67c94d30889377bba774f032ec15e8b9299
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 7739b02129b2248f9a8054cfda924fa253f66a88, 2f5893172fc6153f5f1ef34014ddbfcbf1f47f29 or 1fd1f67c94d30889377bba774f032ec15e8b9299.
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 has been implemented in the Linux kernel to address this issue by properly managing the domain reference lifecycle. Users should update to a Linux kernel version that includes this fix. Since this is a kernel-level issue, applying the official kernel update is the recommended remediation.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Thunderbolt driver caused a domain reference leak when a DisplayPort (DP) receiver (DPRX) read operation was canceled. This leak could block driver unbinding indefinitely due to a completion wait that never finishes. The issue arises when a DP tunnel is torn down before the DPRX read completes, such as unplugging within a timeout period. The fix involves changing the ownership of the domain reference to the work itself, ensuring proper reference counting and preventing leaks or hangs during driver removal.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98690 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1fd1f67c94d30889377bba774f032ec15e8b9299 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2f5893172fc6153f5f1ef34014ddbfcbf1f47f29 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7739b02129b2248f9a8054cfda924fa253f66a88 (opens in a new tab)