CVE-2026-64226

Kernel compromise via task reference use-after-free

Published Jul 24, 2026 · Updated Jul 24, 2026

Use-after-free in the sched_ext scheduler in Linux Kernel allows local users to read or corrupt kernel memory or crash the system. scx_root_enable_workfn() releases its final task reference before scx_error() reads the freed task's comm and pid fields. Local users need delegated BPF struct_ops permissions and control of a task-exit race; successful heap reuse exposes kernel data, corrupts memory, or crashes the kernel.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the sched_ext scheduler in Linux Kernel allows local users to read or corrupt kernel memory or crash the system. scx_root_enable_workfn() releases its final task reference before scx_error() reads the freed task's comm and pid fields. Local users need delegated BPF struct_ops permissions and control of a task-exit race; successful heap reuse exposes kernel data, corrupts memory, or crashes the kernel.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-64226
Published
Jul 24, 2026
Updated
Jul 24, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 24, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jul 24, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=6.12
  2. Affected versionversion=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <45c7c4e3db8b700307313c035ea08be829a7f21b
  3. Affected versionversion=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <57e19ba3f58a67eb924022a5a60b67fd08e5cbbd
  4. Affected versionversion=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <9a415cc53711f2238e0f0ca8a6bcc796c003b127
  5. Affected versionversion=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <cf396941901858b0de426cdcd3974eea6a02c98c

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=6.12; version=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <45c7c4e3db8b700307313c035ea08be829a7f21b; version=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <57e19ba3f58a67eb924022a5a60b67fd08e5cbbd; version=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <9a415cc53711f2238e0f0ca8a6bcc796c003b127; version=f0e1a0643a59bf1f922fa209cec86a170b784f3f <cf396941901858b0de426cdcd3974eea6a02c98c

Published CVSS scores

7.8Linux kernel CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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