CVE-2026-98995: Linux kernel · namespace: reset the old parent's ->overmount in mnt_change_mountpoint()
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 476ef286a7a5db8bda51325dc0c45887b4d99d9a : 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 476ef286a7a5db8bda51325dc0c45887b4d99d9a, 08d575ee89393fd812dbdca7b5d7b4574cd5a564, 5e0a1f2c753a79749bc2ead3ae2f2ede3941daa5
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 476ef286a7a5db8bda51325dc0c45887b4d99d9a, 08d575ee89393fd812dbdca7b5d7b4574cd5a564 or 5e0a1f2c753a79749bc2ead3ae2f2ede3941daa5.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix for this vulnerability has been implemented in the Linux kernel by resetting the old parent's ->overmount pointer in the mnt_change_mountpoint() function. Users should apply the official kernel updates that include this patch once available. Since this is a kernel-level issue, updating to the fixed kernel version is the recommended remediation.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's namespace handling was resolved by ensuring the old parent's ->overmount pointer is reset in the mnt_change_mountpoint() function. Previously, this pointer could become a dangling reference after certain mount operations, leading to use-after-free (UAF) conditions. This issue arises when mounts are reparented and the old parent's ->overmount is not cleared, potentially allowing references to freed mount structures.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/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)