CVE-2026-98696: Linux kernel · USB: serial: fix driver deregistration order
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in e7ad832b1144df19cbbaaa655625c6f984e85b9f : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 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 e7ad832b1144df19cbbaaa655625c6f984e85b9f, a1aa474768f69ea3a70da523f00f74c264cfa10e, 646e5b28b4fdbc1b828a2398d6ced2c1dd308a46 +2
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 to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
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
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix has been implemented to correct the driver deregistration order and to remove "new_id" attributes before deregistration to prevent new probes. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the patch.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel USB serial driver modules related to improper driver deregistration order has been resolved. The issue involves the sequence in which USB drivers and USB serial bus drivers are deregistered when unloading a driver module. Incorrect order can lead to use-after-free conditions in completion handlers accessing port data. Additionally, the removal of "new_id" attributes is necessary to prevent new IDs from triggering probes after deregistration.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98696 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/428d479a0d31460fbf5969ab262ccd673f1fac01 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/646e5b28b4fdbc1b828a2398d6ced2c1dd308a46 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b085a06a0a411b0bcdf18b61c3ebf1be1c72ffe (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a1aa474768f69ea3a70da523f00f74c264cfa10e (opens in a new tab)