CVE-2026-98173
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix use-after-free of iface in cifs_try_adding_channels() cifs_try_adding_channels() iterates ses->iface_list with list_for_each_entry_safe_from(), which captures the next entry (niface) under iface_lock. The loop body then drops iface_lock for the whole duration of cifs_ses_add_channel(). A concurrent interface refresh (SMB3_request_interfaces() -> parse_server_interfaces()) marks all ifaces inactive and removes and frees any that are not re-advertised via list_del() + kref_put(), where release_iface() is a bare kfree(). Since niface typically has no channel holding a reference, the list reference is its last and it can be freed inside the unlocked window. On continue, the iterator advance step then dereferences niface->iface_head.next, and the loop body reads iface->rdma_capable/is_active, both on freed memory. Fix this by never keeping an unreferenced list pointer across the unlocked window. Each channel attempt now re-scans the list from the head under iface_lock, takes a kref on the selected candidate, and passes only that referenced candidate to cifs_ses_add_channel(). weight_fulfilled still tracks selection progress, so restarting the scan preserves the original weighted distribution and the weight_fulfilled-before-kref_put ordering on the failure path. Add a per-pass attempts cap so a flapping interface refresh cannot keep the inner loop spinning within a single tries increment.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Record status
- Received
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.5
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-98173.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-98173. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/93e8a49adb2a575202c5ee766435eff2f9f95f5b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c941f1ebfd26f683de81091473f3596a218abff0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d034e836eefd7ce75e588f7031cffbeec594f5ac
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e99040e5e9c60441e6b4725e1a7b88c3106ae903
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec36b38e65596950e6c29bed7dfc90b98707c19c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee0d8f83d68f6e6509f092c997ccab3c8c801538