// For flags

CVE-2026-43326

sched_ext: Fix SCX_KICK_WAIT deadlock by deferring wait to balance callback

Severity Score

"-"
*CVSS v-

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched_ext: Fix SCX_KICK_WAIT deadlock by deferring wait to balance callback SCX_KICK_WAIT busy-waits in kick_cpus_irq_workfn() using
smp_cond_load_acquire() until the target CPU's kick_sync advances. Because
the irq_work runs in hardirq context, the waiting CPU cannot reschedule and
its own kick_sync never advances. If multiple CPUs form a wait cycle, all
CPUs deadlock. Replace the busy-wait in kick_cpus_irq_workfn() with resched_curr() to
force the CPU through do_pick_task_scx(), which queues a balance callback
to perform the wait. The balance callback drops the rq lock and enables
IRQs following the sched_core_balance() pattern, so the CPU can process
IPIs while waiting. The local CPU's kick_sync is advanced on entry to
do_pick_task_scx() and continuously during the wait, ensuring any CPU that
starts waiting for us sees the advancement and cannot form cyclic
dependencies.

*Credits: N/A
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
-
Attack Complexity
-
Privileges Required
-
User Interaction
-
Scope
-
Confidentiality
-
Integrity
-
Availability
-
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2026-05-01 CVE Reserved
  • 2026-05-08 CVE Published
  • 2026-05-12 CVE Updated
  • 2026-05-14 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 6.12 < 6.19.12
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 6.12 < 6.19.12"
en
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 6.12 < 7.0
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 6.12 < 7.0"
en
Affected