Linux Kernel up to 6.18.52 thunderbolt tb_queue_hotplug use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.39

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.52. The impacted element is the function tb_queue_hotplug of the component thunderbolt. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-98896. Local access is required to approach this attack. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.52. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function tb_queue_hotplug of the component thunderbolt. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: thunderbolt: Keep the domain reference while processing hotplug We process hotplug events in a workqueue that may run after the domain has been removed by tb_domain_remove(). For example if user unloads the driver while at the same time plugging a device router we may have scheduled tb_handle_hotplug() to run. Avoid possible UAF in this case by taking the domain reference before scheduling the hotplug handler in tb_queue_hotplug().

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-98896 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. Additional levels of successful authentication are required for exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/23/2026).

Upgrading to version 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.111 or 6.18.53 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 06b2e894e640f6a3dbeb536a2d26d72426b26a46/1d991f749a8255ee2ecc6307e2f27354ab631827/e8656465d08ed832e120c9cca4a6d0c8ccb45698/b61a4ae2ec6a0d363615d01106e0a2d284133a38/04df2985159e381c88a923fae1bec2f8d0272412/0a87af3b1e3aa2e09d160848daf0c39e765b73de/138ec65b2c761f065b19d115aed2b8246fc272f5 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: 7.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 7.7
VulDB Temp Score: 7.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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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: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

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 5.10.271/5.15.222/6.1.189/6.6.158/6.12.111/6.18.53
Patch: 06b2e894e640f6a3dbeb536a2d26d72426b26a46/1d991f749a8255ee2ecc6307e2f27354ab631827/e8656465d08ed832e120c9cca4a6d0c8ccb45698/b61a4ae2ec6a0d363615d01106e0a2d284133a38/04df2985159e381c88a923fae1bec2f8d0272412/0a87af3b1e3aa2e09d160848daf0c39e765b73de/138ec65b2c761f065b19d115aed2b8246fc272f5

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/23/2026 +28 days Advisory disclosed
10/23/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/23/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98896 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98896
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-425762

Entryinfo

Created: 10/23/2026 14:58
Changes: 10/23/2026 14:58 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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