# CVE-2026-98480: nfc: trf7970a: power down on startup RX gain failure

CVE-2026-98480 is fixed in linux on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98480 (version 7.2.9-1), released October 19, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-98480
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a
- EPSS: 0.0020
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Oct 18, 2026
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-98480

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  nfc: trf7970a: power down on startup RX gain failure  trf7970a_startup() powers up the device before applying the optional RX gain reduction. If the register read or write fails, it returns without undoing that power-up. Probe's unwind only drops the separate regulator references acquired by probe, leaving the additional VIN enable from startup unbalanced. The system resume caller also has no power-down on this error.  Call trf7970a_power_down() before returning the RX gain error to deassert the enable GPIOs, release the startup VIN reference and restore the powered-off state. Runtime PM has not been enabled yet, so the full shutdown helper is not appropriate here. Preserve the original SPI error.  This issue was identified during our ongoing static-analysis research while reviewing kernel code.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.2.9-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98480](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-98480.md) | Oct 19, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T13:06:02Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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