CVE-2026-97556
smb: client: avoid leaking refcount when cifs_sb_tlink() fails
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: avoid leaking refcount when cifs_sb_tlink() fails cifs_oplock_break() takes over the reference that cifs_queue_oplock_break() acquired when it queued the work, and drops it with _cifsFileInfo_put() once the break has been processed. Only in setups with "-o multiuser", cifs_sb_tlink() may fail, at which point cifs_oplock_break() returns without putting the file reference, mirroring the reference leak we already fixed in the companion patch to cifs_queue_oplock_break(). This would trigger a crash due to busy inodes on the next unmount: BUG: Dentry ... still in use (1) [unmount of cifs cifs] VFS: Busy inodes after unmount of cifs (cifs) Drop the reference on that path as well. Doing so before the out label mirrors the normal path, which also puts the reference before cifs_done_oplock_break(). Found by Sashiko code review. The failure path was not exercised at runtime.
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 25, 2026, 11:17 a.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 25, 2026, 11:17 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Update the Linux kernel to the latest version.
- Apply relevant security patches for the kernel.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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CVE-2026-97556.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-97556 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
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stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-97556
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
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The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-97556 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Sep. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: avoid leaking refcount when cifs_sb_tlink() fails cifs_oplock_break() takes over the reference that cifs_queue_oplock_break() acquired when it queued the work, and drops it with _cifsFileInfo_put() once the break has been processed. Only in setups with "-o multiuser", cifs_sb_tlink() may fail, at which point cifs_oplock_break() returns without putting the file reference, mirroring the reference leak we already fixed in the companion patch to cifs_queue_oplock_break(). This would trigger a crash due to busy inodes on the next unmount: BUG: Dentry ... still in use (1) [unmount of cifs cifs] VFS: Busy inodes after unmount of cifs (cifs) Drop the reference on that path as well. Doing so before the out label mirrors the normal path, which also puts the reference before cifs_done_oplock_break(). Found by Sashiko code review. The failure path was not exercised at runtime. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/97xxx/CVE-2026-97556.json">CVE-2026-97556</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1d1b0f1d812a4011a57bc6c70492c34a2e46c6dd Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/23b26f4408ac3f35a482d2e5cf6fc865d4201b71 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9ec991e148368e3207e98134c509a625097f7693 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd03fd658ea59821505e0e643b6b7cbdf51c4e1d