CVE-2026-98982: Linux kernel · namespace: don't let a pseudo dentry become the root of a mount
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 01:59 UTC
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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available that prevents cloning mounts with a DCACHE_NORCU dentry as the root, effectively blocking the unsafe condition. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this fix. Since this is a kernel vulnerability, upgrading to patched kernel versions is the recommended remediation. No alternative mitigations or workarounds are indicated.
Description
CVE-2026-98982 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel affecting certain versions where a pseudo dentry can become the root of a mount. This occurs due to improper handling of pseudo dentries (used for pipes, sockets, etc.) that are not meant to be mount roots but can be bind-mounted via /proc/self/fd/<fd>. This leads to a use-after-free condition during mount namespace operations. The vulnerability allows an attacker with local privileges to cause a high-impact compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98982 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=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)