Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

sched_ext: Skip sub-disable teardown for never-linked sub-schedulers

A sub-scheduler enable can fail before scx_link_sched() links the sched into
the hierarchy, e.g. when the parent is already being disabled, and cleanup
still runs the full scx_sub_disable().

That is racy against root disable: drain_descendants() is the only ordering
between a sub's disable-time task walk and root disable's all-task teardown,
and an unlinked sub is invisible to it. Root's teardown can thus run between
the never-linked sub's drain and its walk, exiting every task to no
scheduler.

The walk then trips the membership WARN and re-homes the exited tasks onto
the dying hierarchy, a use-after-free.

Skip the cgroup ownership reset and the task walk if @sch was never linked,
indicated by the empty ->sibling as unlinking only happens later in the same
function. The membership WARN remains valid: a linked sub is always waited
on by an ancestor's drain.
Published: 2026-08-22
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Privilege Escalation
Action: Apply Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

In the Linux kernel, a race condition in the sched_ext module allows a sub‑scheduler that does not link into the scheduler hierarchy to be torn down while a root scheduler is being disabled; this leaves orphaned tasks and triggers a use‑after‑free during the task walk. The flaw can result in kernel memory corruption and arbitrary code execution by an attacker capable of influencing scheduler behavior or process creation.

Affected Systems

The flaw affects the Linux kernel, as identified by the CNA vendor listing. No specific kernel release or configuration is announced, so any kernel compiled with the sched_ext feature that has not been patched remains potentially vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

The EPSS score is below 1%, indicating a very low but nonzero exploitation probability, and the flaw is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates high severity, reflecting the risk of kernel memory corruption via a use‑after‑free race. The attack vector is not explicitly described in the CVE data; based on the description, it is inferred that a local attacker who can influence scheduler configuration or spawn processes could trigger the race, potentially leading to code execution in kernel space

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 25, 2026 at 17:33 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update to the latest Linux kernel release that contains the fix for the sched_ext race condition
  • If a kernel update is not possible, disable the sched_ext feature (e.g., by turning off sub‑scheduler creation or configuring the kernel to avoid using the failing path)
  • Monitor kernel logs for membership warnings or orphaned task messages, and treat their appearance as an indication that the vulnerability is still present

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 25, 2026 at 17:33 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
CWE-416

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-364
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate


Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
CWE-416

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
CWE-416

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
CWE-416

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched_ext: Skip sub-disable teardown for never-linked sub-schedulers A sub-scheduler enable can fail before scx_link_sched() links the sched into the hierarchy, e.g. when the parent is already being disabled, and cleanup still runs the full scx_sub_disable(). That is racy against root disable: drain_descendants() is the only ordering between a sub's disable-time task walk and root disable's all-task teardown, and an unlinked sub is invisible to it. Root's teardown can thus run between the never-linked sub's drain and its walk, exiting every task to no scheduler. The walk then trips the membership WARN and re-homes the exited tasks onto the dying hierarchy, a use-after-free. Skip the cgroup ownership reset and the task walk if @sch was never linked, indicated by the empty ->sibling as unlinking only happens later in the same function. The membership WARN remains valid: a linked sub is always waited on by an ancestor's drain.
Title sched_ext: Skip sub-disable teardown for never-linked sub-schedulers
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-25T05:42:10.750Z

Reserved: 2026-08-15T05:44:03.930Z

Link: CVE-2026-74731

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-22T16:16:48.257

Modified: 2026-08-25T06:18:59.753

Link: CVE-2026-74731

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-08-22T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-74731 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-25T17:45:04Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-364

    Signal Handler Race Condition