CVE-2026-64226 sched_ext: Avoid UAF in scx_root_enable_workfn() init failure path
A use-after-free in the Linux kernel scheduler allows attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges via a race condition in error handling.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-64226?
CVE-2026-64226 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 24 Jul 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
sched_ext: Avoid UAF in scx_root_enable_workfn() init failure path
In scx_root_enable_workfn(), put_task_struct(p) is called before scx_error() dereferences p->comm and p->pid. If the iterator's reference is the last drop, the task is freed synchronously and the deref becomes a UAF.
Move put_task_struct() past scx_error().
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-64226?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64226?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-64226 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-64226 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-64226, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-64226, GHSA-3454-c8gj-2q3j, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2026-64226, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-64226.