---
title: "CVE-2026-98260: Linux Kernel - Use After Free"
description: "Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability caused by delayed cleanup of POSIX timers after de_thread() during exec, letting attackers cause kernel memory corruption, exploit requires triggering execve failure in non-leader threads."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-98260/
---

# CVE-2026-98260 Linux Kernel - Use After Free

Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability caused by delayed cleanup of POSIX timers after de\_thread() during exec, letting attackers cause kernel memory corruption, exploit requires triggering execve failure in non-leader threads.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

EPSS

0.13% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98260)

## Details

Type

Use After Free

Impact

Out Of Bounds Rw

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Published

6 October 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version with the fix applied.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98260](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98260)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f1977cea3e85cd8ab55fb337d3e1725fe61d1ce](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f1977cea3e85cd8ab55fb337d3e1725fe61d1ce)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75aa08b93c65766040f9ca99f41ac85ad22596b6](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75aa08b93c65766040f9ca99f41ac85ad22596b6)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acb03d3881818581052924a9bbbe92b8741ed448](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acb03d3881818581052924a9bbbe92b8741ed448)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d602877baf36c43c788a5f472c977e0be414029f](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d602877baf36c43c788a5f472c977e0be414029f)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9ae467e617ca29b825493a362bf0d75ad5f4ac3](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9ae467e617ca29b825493a362bf0d75ad5f4ac3)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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