CVE-2026-98690

thunderbolt: Fix domain reference leak when DPRX read is canceled

Published Oct 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 1.9 Low EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-2 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-754
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-911
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 1.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L'}

threat_severity

Low

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-754
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title thunderbolt: Fix domain reference leak when DPRX read is canceled
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 9:24 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 18, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:19 AM
Severity
Low
Public date
Oct 18, 2026, 12:00 AM