CVE-2026-98982: Linux kernel · namespace: don't let a pseudo dentry become the root of a mount
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in b138e16fb1e81376cea89f727dda7bfccd140de4 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- 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 b138e16fb1e81376cea89f727dda7bfccd140de4, a256e31e0c54c4c37d2523aa52faabdcdd2ebc07, 00287afa7cd989efdbf5822b7efac33cce7d489a +1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation 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 Linux kernel to b138e16fb1e81376cea89f727dda7bfccd140de4, a256e31e0c54c4c37d2523aa52faabdcdd2ebc07, 00287afa7cd989efdbf5822b7efac33cce7d489a or 7e1c466011ba9e64d43075396badc03191bcee44.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| 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 that refuses to clone mounts whose root is a pseudo dentry with the DCACHE_NORCU flag. Users should update to a kernel version that includes this patch once available. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the provided data; check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to namespace handling has been resolved. The issue involves pseudo dentries, which are special directory entries for pipes, sockets, and other files that are not part of the normal filesystem hierarchy. These pseudo dentries should not become the root of a mount, but bind mounting /proc/self/fd/<fd> can cause this to happen. This leads to a race condition where a dentry can be freed while still being accessed, potentially causing instability. The fix prevents cloning a mount whose root is a pseudo dentry with the DCACHE_NORCU flag.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98982 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/00287afa7cd989efdbf5822b7efac33cce7d489a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e1c466011ba9e64d43075396badc03191bcee44 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a256e31e0c54c4c37d2523aa52faabdcdd2ebc07 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b138e16fb1e81376cea89f727dda7bfccd140de4 (opens in a new tab)