CVE Catalog

CVE-2026-98978

HighCVSS 8.4
Published: Updated: Translated: NVD NIST

Exploitation Probability (EPSS)

Low risk
0.21%

10th percentile - higher than 10% of all known CVEs

Summary

The Linux kernel has a flaw in handling locked mounts, which are meant to protect underlying files and directories from being revealed. When a user namespace owner places a mount beneath a locked mount using MOVE_MOUNT_BENEATH, the locked property moves to the bottom mount, allowing the top mount to be unmounted and the covered directory to be revealed. The fix makes plain umount() return EBUSY and lets a locked mount die together with its parent.

Risk Assessment

Directories intended to be hidden by a locked mount can be exposed, potentially breaching data confidentiality. The issue affects users able to manipulate mount namespaces.

Recommendation

Update the Linux kernel to a version with the fix that prevents locked mounts from expiring and returns EBUSY on unmount attempts. Review whether locked mounts protecting sensitive data are used in the environment.

Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel

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Original NVD description (English source)

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: namespace: never expire a locked mount Locked mounts are special. They protect the underlying files and directories from being revealed. do_umount() refuses to unmount locked mounts but shrink_submounts() doesn't. A shrinkable mount can become locked once the owner of a user namespace puts it beneath a locked mount with MOVE_MOUNT_BENEATH. The locked property now moves to the mount at the bottom making it possible to unmount the top mount. So umount() of an unlocked ancestor now expires the bottom mount first and the covered directory is revealed: move_mount(c -> x/hidden, MOVE_MOUNT_BENEATH) = 0 the cover after the lock moved: umount2(x/hidden) = 0 the holder of the lock: umount2(x/hidden) = EINVAL the root of the copy, busy: umount2(x) = EBUSY reads x/hidden/secret: "covered-by-root" So leave a locked mount alone as it dies together with its parent. A plain umount() of an unlocked mount with a locked one below it is EBUSY from now on. It's the same for any other locked child. A lazy umount still takes the whole tree. mark_mounts_for_expiry() never sees a locked mount. lock_mnt_tree() leaves a mount on an expiry list alone and nothing else puts a locked one on such a list. Add an assert for this.

Vulnerability data from NVD (NIST) · CISA KEV · EPSS