CVE-2026-43438
Published: May 8, 2026· Updated: May 12, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
sched_ext: Remove redundant css_put() in scx_cgroup_init()
The iterator css_for_each_descendant_pre() walks the cgroup hierarchy
under cgroup_lock(). It does not increment the reference counts on
yielded css structs.
According to the cgroup documentation, css_put() should only be used
to release a reference obtained via css_get() or css_tryget_online().
Since the iterator does not use either of these to acquire a reference,
calling css_put() in the error path of scx_cgroup_init() causes a
refcount underflow.
Remove the unbalanced css_put() to prevent a potential Use-After-Free
(UAF) vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-43438 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (4)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-43438 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts