Findings

CVE-2026-98420

CVE-2026-98420: ksmbd: follow SMB2 session expiration semantics

Published Oct 14, 2026 · Linux Linux Kernel · evidence confidence high

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: follow SMB2 session expiration semantics ksmbd_session_register() destroys valid sessions after ten seconds of inactivity whenever a client starts another SessionSetup exchange. This confuses Session.IdleTime with Session.ExpirationTime. Windows can create additional authenticated sessions on an existing connection, so deleting the older session invalidates its tree connects and makes mapped drives fail with STATUS_NETWORK_NAME_DELETED. The session expiration rules require the server to change a valid session to expired only after its credential expiration time passes. A valid or expired session otherwise keeps its connection from being scavenged. Connections that have not negotiated a dialect, have no sessions, or

Grounded briefings

Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.

Executive

CVE-2026-98420 is a medium public vulnerability record for Linux Linux Kernel. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.

System administrator

Identify whether Linux Linux Kernel is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: kernel. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.

Security analyst

Signals on file: EPSS 0.2%. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Sources contributing to this record: cve_org, epss, linux_kernel, tenable. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.

Exploitation and remediation

  • Exploitation evidence

    Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV.

  • Patch and remediation

    No required-action text is stored yet. Use the vendor or CERT links in Sources for patch availability.

  • Safe detection guidance

    Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

No public source repository is identified for this product.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Oct 14, 2026 · Tenable CVE Database

    Detected

    In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: follow SMB2 session expiration semantics ksmbd_session_register() destroys valid sessions after ten seconds of inactivity whenever a client starts another SessionSetup exchange. This confuses Session.IdleTime with Session.ExpirationTime. Windows can create additional authenticated sessions on an existing connection, so dele

Affected

  • linux kernelversion unspecified

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-98420

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2026-98420

    30-day exploitation probability 0.2%

    first.org
  • Linux Kernel CVEVendor advisoryCVE-2026-98420

    From: Greg Kroah-Hartman Description =========== In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: follow SMB2 session expiration semantics ksmbd_session_register() destroys valid sessions after ten seconds of inactivity whenever a client starts another S

    git.kernel.org
  • Tenable CVE DatabaseVulnerability recordCVE-2026-98420

    In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: follow SMB2 session expiration semantics ksmbd_session_register() destroys valid sessions after ten seconds of inactivity whenever a client starts another SessionSetup exchange. This confuses Session.IdleTime with Session.ExpirationTime. Windows can create additional authenticated sessions on an existing connection, so dele

    tenable.com