CVE-2026-74731
Received Received - Intake

Race Condition in Linux Kernel sched_ext Component

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-74731, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-08-22

Last updated on: 2026-08-22

Assigner: kernel.org

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.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-22
Last Modified
2026-08-22
Generated
2026-08-22
AI Q&A
2026-08-22
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Currently, no data is known.

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's sched_ext component. It occurs when a sub-scheduler fails to link into the hierarchy before cleanup runs. Root disable's teardown can execute between the never-linked sub's task walk and its drain, causing tasks to exit improperly. The walk then triggers a membership warning and re-homes exited tasks onto a dying hierarchy, leading to a use-after-free condition.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's sched_ext subsystem and requires kernel-level inspection. Detection involves checking kernel logs for scheduler-related errors or warnings, particularly around task scheduling and cgroup hierarchies. Use commands like dmesg | grep -i sched or journalctl -k | grep -i sched to review kernel messages for anomalies.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this vulnerability could cause system instability, crashes, or privilege escalation on Linux systems using sched_ext. Attackers might trigger the race condition to corrupt kernel memory, potentially leading to denial-of-service or arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation Strategies

Update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version where this vulnerability is patched. Monitor kernel logs for scheduler-related errors post-update. If immediate patching is not possible, restrict access to untrusted users to reduce exposure.

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