CVE-2026-98995: Linux kernel · namespace: reset the old parent's ->overmount in mnt_change_mountpoint()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 01:57 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 resets the old parent's ->overmount pointer in mnt_change_mountpoint() as done in __umount_mnt(). Users should apply the official kernel updates that include this fix. Since this is a kernel vulnerability, upgrading to patched kernel versions is the recommended mitigation.
Description
CVE-2026-98995 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to improper resetting of the old parent's ->overmount pointer in the mnt_change_mountpoint() function. This flaw can lead to a use-after-free (UAF) condition when a mount is moved and the old parent's ->overmount pointer incorrectly references a freed mount. This can cause the kernel to follow dangling pointers, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98995 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-98995 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/08d575ee89393fd812dbdca7b5d7b4574cd5a564 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/476ef286a7a5db8bda51325dc0c45887b4d99d9a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e0a1f2c753a79749bc2ead3ae2f2ede3941daa5 (opens in a new tab)