Linux Kernel File Descriptor Management Vulnerability

CVE-2026-98388

What is CVE-2026-98388?

A significant issue was identified in the Linux kernel related to the handling of file descriptors during process execution. The do_close_on_exec() function was improperly placed to execute while holding the exec_update_lock, which is critical for synchronizing access checks to process state. This incorrect ordering can lead to scenarios where a hung filesystem may block execution paths, causing potential deadlocks, especially with FUSE filesystems trying to inspect the calling process. The solution involves repositioning do_close_on_exec() to execute before acquiring the exec_update_lock, ensuring that such blocking issues are mitigated while maintaining effective resource management.

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