Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc4 autofs autofs_kill_sb denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc4. Affected by this vulnerability is the function autofs_kill_sb of the component autofs. This manipulation causes denial of service. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-98553. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc4 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function autofs_kill_sb of the component autofs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a denial of service vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: autofs: fix sbi->pipe file reference leak in autofs_kill_sb() When autofs_fill_super() fails before clearing AUTOFS_SBI_CATATONIC (for example, when find_get_pid() fails on an invalid pgrp mount option, or when an fs_context is closed before mounting), deactivate_locked_super() invokes autofs_kill_sb() -> autofs_catatonic_mode(sbi). Because AUTOFS_SBI_CATATONIC is still set in sbi->flags, autofs_catatonic_mode() returns early without calling fput(sbi->pipe), permanently leaking the pipe struct file reference. Explicitly release sbi->pipe in autofs_kill_sb() if it is still non-NULL after autofs_catatonic_mode().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98553 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/18/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9 or 7.3-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3684e2273ba94553af3c5195a46a50214a1a96e3/0662b1ff9b383d5a233d344e4dc518c27a17f7b8/34fa4c1c6e10507dc60e35a82cc9655666946cfd/a58593b501b7be5ad2bc5181bfa8cd4599be257c/f1c57f5b16bbc3571bd479c290996c4d4e1fb931/4bcb371019097d0e357f097902587401c509bbc9/fc4fd0281ac80b5a3c5a2330f688f0f9d2a420b6/aa5e44b29ffe4eaa08cc2237fd65bc2596bc023e is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
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: Denial of service
CWE: CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

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 5.10.271/5.15.222/6.1.189/6.6.158/6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5
Patch: 3684e2273ba94553af3c5195a46a50214a1a96e3/0662b1ff9b383d5a233d344e4dc518c27a17f7b8/34fa4c1c6e10507dc60e35a82cc9655666946cfd/a58593b501b7be5ad2bc5181bfa8cd4599be257c/f1c57f5b16bbc3571bd479c290996c4d4e1fb931/4bcb371019097d0e357f097902587401c509bbc9/fc4fd0281ac80b5a3c5a2330f688f0f9d2a420b6/aa5e44b29ffe4eaa08cc2237fd65bc2596bc023e

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-2026-98553 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98553
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-422059

Entryinfo

Created: 10/18/2026 20:06
Changes: 10/18/2026 20:06 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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