CVE-2026-98690

/// Technical 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

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

/// References