CVE-2026-98552 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel maintainers, Linux distribution vendors, and users of Linux-based systems should assess exposure and prioritize patching or mitigation. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions and requires patching or mitigation to prevent potential exploitation.

Why it matters

A refcount leak vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's perf/core component. The attach_perf_ctx_data() function can race on global and non-global cases, potentially leading to a reference count leak. This issue has been resolved. Linux kernel maintainers, Linux distribution vendors, and users of Linux-based systems should assess exposure and prioritize patching or mitigation.

• Verify Linux kernel versions to assess exposure
• Prioritize patching or mitigation for affected systems
• Monitor system logs for potential exploitation attempts

Technical summary

The attach_perf_ctx_data() function in the Linux kernel's perf/core component can race on global and non-global cases, potentially leading to a reference count leak. This issue has been resolved with a patch. The vulnerability arises from a race condition between global and non-global cases in the attach_perf_ctx_data() function, which can result in a reference count leak. Linux kernel maintainers, Linux distribution vendors, and users of Linux-based systems should assess exposure and prioritize patching or mitigation.

Defensive priority

Verify Linux kernel versions and assess exposure; prioritize patching or mitigation for affected systems.

Recommended defensive actions

• Verify Linux kernel versions to assess exposure
• Prioritize patching or mitigation for affected systems
• Monitor system logs for potential exploitation attempts
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability. Three source references from the Linux kernel Git repository are available. The vulnerability has been resolved with a patch. The attach_perf_ctx_data() function in the Linux kernel's perf/core component can race on global and non-global cases, potentially leading to a reference count leak.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.