CVE-2026-98982: Linux kernel · namespace: don't let a pseudo dentry become the root of a mount
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in b138e16fb1e81376cea89f727dda7bfccd140de4 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:18 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
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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 is available and has been applied in specific Linux kernel commits. Users and administrators should update to a patched kernel version that includes these fixes. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
CVE-2026-98982 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel affecting version 6.9. It involves a flaw where a pseudo dentry, which should never become the root of a mount, can be improperly used as such via bind mounting /proc/self/fd/<fd>. This can lead to use-after-free conditions during mount namespace operations. The issue has been fixed in specific commits in the Linux kernel source.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a256e31e0c54c4c37d2523aa52faabdcdd2ebc07 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e1c466011ba9e64d43075396badc03191bcee44 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/00287afa7cd989efdbf5822b7efac33cce7d489a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b138e16fb1e81376cea89f727dda7bfccd140de4 (opens in a new tab)