Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3 dmaengine dma_chan_put client_count memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k1.29

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. It has been declared as very critical. This affects the function dma_chan_put of the component dmaengine. Executing a manipulation of the argument client_count can lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-98344. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. It has been declared as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function dma_chan_put of the component dmaengine. The manipulation of the argument client_count with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: dmaengine: Fix device kref underflow in dma_chan_put() dma_chan_get() takes chan->device->ref only on the slow path: /* no kref on fast path */ if (chan->client_count) { __module_get(owner); chan->client_count++; return 0; } if (!try_module_get(owner)) return -ENODEV; if (!dma_device_get(chan->device)) { // calls kref_get_unless_zero() dma_chan_put() drops the ref unconditionally, so every fast-path get/put pair drops one extra device reference. The bug fires when two conditions hold together: a non-private provider has a persistent client holding chan->client_count > 0 and another client cycles dmaengine_get()/dmaengine_put(). When the kref hits zero, the subsequent dma_find_channel() returns NULL even though the provider module is still loaded. Fix this by dropping device->ref only on the last put, matching the single slow-path get.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-98344 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 10/06/2026).

Upgrading to version 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 036b527f92570206da4b8c40b38f8d689e29d0f3/5fb1797a8c9485e40e5492fa0338ab5c7d1f3fef/57f7f1c6827be7d8f80feca48d2125fb91c6f6ed/7c3f4ce651d43705f9ec7f778f642a90d5ff4fba/de2677e57d3161390d8a508f08cddec6ef7e4b23/1a0d9b406febf23054ad595fd47b29325e70fb2d/77906ac448d2fa81fa710ae26c0e591ebdc81154/44dab659064eb5c10adb0306510eebe848ed592d is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.271/5.15.222/6.1.189/6.6.158/6.12.112/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4
Patch: 036b527f92570206da4b8c40b38f8d689e29d0f3/5fb1797a8c9485e40e5492fa0338ab5c7d1f3fef/57f7f1c6827be7d8f80feca48d2125fb91c6f6ed/7c3f4ce651d43705f9ec7f778f642a90d5ff4fba/de2677e57d3161390d8a508f08cddec6ef7e4b23/1a0d9b406febf23054ad595fd47b29325e70fb2d/77906ac448d2fa81fa710ae26c0e591ebdc81154/44dab659064eb5c10adb0306510eebe848ed592d

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/06/2026 +11 days Advisory disclosed
10/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98344 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98344
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-414196

Entryinfo

Created: 10/06/2026 13:35
Changes: 10/06/2026 13:35 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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