CVE-2026-98896: Linux kernel · thunderbolt: Keep the domain reference while processing hotplug
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in e8656465d08ed832e120c9cca4a6d0c8ccb45698 : update Linux kernel 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 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in e8656465d08ed832e120c9cca4a6d0c8ccb45698, b61a4ae2ec6a0d363615d01106e0a2d284133a38, 138ec65b2c761f065b19d115aed2b8246fc272f5 +4
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 23 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
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AI-suggested
A fix is available and has been applied in the Linux kernel. Users should update to a kernel version that includes the commits identified as fixes (e.g., commits e8656465d08ed832e120c9cca4a6d0c8ccb45698 and others). No additional mitigation steps are indicated.
Description
A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Thunderbolt subsystem was addressed by ensuring the domain reference is retained while processing hotplug events. This prevents potential crashes or undefined behavior when hotplug events are handled after the domain has been removed, such as when a user unloads the driver while plugging in a device router.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/06b2e894e640f6a3dbeb536a2d26d72426b26a46 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1d991f749a8255ee2ecc6307e2f27354ab631827 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e8656465d08ed832e120c9cca4a6d0c8ccb45698 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b61a4ae2ec6a0d363615d01106e0a2d284133a38 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/04df2985159e381c88a923fae1bec2f8d0272412 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a87af3b1e3aa2e09d160848daf0c39e765b73de (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/138ec65b2c761f065b19d115aed2b8246fc272f5 (opens in a new tab)