CVE-2026-98747: Linux kernel · serial: core: fix NULL pointer dereference in serial_core_unregister_port()
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited : upgrade to 499485a67fbacf4d9afbdb43522388c64f853428 or 54abbb862366dcaf1f22f1e968358147b7d0547d when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
Rated Medium by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 499485a67fbacf4d9afbdb43522388c64f853428, 54abbb862366dcaf1f22f1e968358147b7d0547d
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 499485a67fbacf4d9afbdb43522388c64f853428 or 54abbb862366dcaf1f22f1e968358147b7d0547d.
Affected software
| Product | 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. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions identified by the commits 499485a67fbacf4d9afbdb43522388c64f853428 and 54abbb862366dcaf1f22f1e968358147b7d0547d. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's serial core subsystem was fixed. The flaw occurs in the function serial_core_unregister_port() when it dereferences a NULL port device pointer. This happens if no port device is installed or if registration failed before serial_core_port_device_add(). The fix involves returning early if the port device is NULL and properly synchronizing access with port_mutex. Additionally, the port device pointer is cleared on error paths to prevent use-after-free scenarios.