---
id: "CVE-2026-98896"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-98896"]
title: "Linux kernel: Thunderbolt hotplug handler can use a freed domain"
severity: "unknown"
cvss: null
epss: 0.00215
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "kernel", "linux", "thunderbolt"]
not_affected_if: []
published_at: "2026-10-23T12:18:23+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:33+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T12:38:50+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98896", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:33+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-98896", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-25T12:38:50+00:00"}]
---

# Linux kernel: Thunderbolt hotplug handler can use a freed domain

A race in the Linux kernel Thunderbolt driver lets a hotplug workqueue handler run after the domain was removed, when the driver is unloaded during a device plug event. The fix takes a domain reference before scheduling the handler, which prevents a use-after-free; the sources do not state the attacker impact.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:33+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-98896
- 2026-10-25T12:38:50+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-98896

## From the sources

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().

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_