CVE-2026-98690

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: thunderbolt: Fix domain reference leak when DPRX read is canceled tb_tunnel_one_dp() takes a domain reference which is only dropped once tb_dp_tunnel_active() has run on the work queue. If that work is cancelled that reference is leaked. Since commit f5cc545f5969 ("thunderbolt: Wait for tb_domain_release() to complete when driver is removed") instead of just leaking memory this now also blocks in the completion wait forever when unbinding the driver. This can be triggered whenever a DP tunnel is torn down before the DPRX read has completed, e.g. by unplugging within the timeout, and then unbinding the driver. That reference only exists to keep the domain around while the DPRX work is scheduled so let the work itself own it: take it in tb_dp_dprx_start() and drop it in both places that end the work. Get/put are then paired inside the same file and it doesn't matter anymore if the callback ever runs.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-10-18
Last modified 2026-10-18
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.14 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.56, 7.2.10, 7.3 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.14
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.56 6.18.x ✓ 7.2.10 7.2.x ✓ 7.3

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-98690?

    CVE-2026-98690 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.14 onward and has been patched in 6.18.56, 7.2.10 and 7.3. CVE-2026-98690 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98690?

    Yes. CVE-2026-98690 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.56, 7.2.10 and 7.3. If you are running Linux kernel 6.14 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-98690 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-98690 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.