Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5 Aspeed Virtual Hub ast_vhub_remove use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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8.7$5k-$25k1.78-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as very critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5. This impacts the function ast_vhub_remove of the component Aspeed Virtual Hub. This manipulation causes use after free. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-98766. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5 and classified as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ast_vhub_remove of the component Aspeed Virtual Hub. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: gadget: aspeed-vhub: cancel wake work on device removal wake_work is armed from the gadget .wakeup callback to resume suspended downstream ports, and it is never cancelled in ast_vhub_remove(), so a work item queued before or during removal can run after devm has freed vhub and its ports, a use-after-free. Cancelling the work alone is not sufficient: usb_gadget_wakeup() takes no lock and the unbind path never clears wakeup_en, so a remote-wakeup request in flight on another CPU can re-arm the work after the cancel and before vhub is freed. ast_vhub_del_dev() already clears d->registered under vhub->lock before unregistering the gadget. Refuse the wakeup in ast_vhub_udc_wakeup() once d->registered is clear: the check and the schedule_work() are then atomic against the unbind, so a wakeup that passed before the flag was cleared is drained by the cancel_work_sync() after the del_dev loop, and one that arrives later returns without arming. Also move INIT_WORK() to the top of ast_vhub_probe(), since the probe error path reuses ast_vhub_remove() and would otherwise cancel a never-initialized work item. This issue was found by an in-house static analysis tool.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98766 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/18/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 or 7.3-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f343bfa3fc9f6255602d66f4a7dbe7ddef13ba41/474e9e1852fb5ba0bfb26f123dd0cb361d0f4f4d/c81504dfd2d93e345c98e7a012c2f2e74ce5b6a1/20388c8d1d74c203fec8194c45cd31afdfab934e is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.7

VulDB Base Score: 9.1
VulDB Temp Score: 8.7
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: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / 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 6.12.113/6.18.56/7.2.10/7.3-rc6
Patch: f343bfa3fc9f6255602d66f4a7dbe7ddef13ba41/474e9e1852fb5ba0bfb26f123dd0cb361d0f4f4d/c81504dfd2d93e345c98e7a012c2f2e74ce5b6a1/20388c8d1d74c203fec8194c45cd31afdfab934e

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/18/2026 +23 days Advisory disclosed
10/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98766 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98766
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-421969

Entryinfo

Created: 10/18/2026 19:33
Changes: 10/18/2026 19:33 (22), 10/18/2026 19:34 (37)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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