PT-2026-42456 · Linux+1 · Linux Kernel+1

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CVE-2026-43499

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Published

2026-05-21

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Updated

2026-07-21

CVSS v4.0

8.5

High

VectorAV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Name of the Vulnerable Software and Affected Versions Linux kernel versions 2.6.39 through 7.0.x
Description A use-after-free (UAF) issue exists in the Linux kernel's real-time mutex (rtmutex) locking code used by the futex priority inheritance mechanism. The issue occurs within the remove waiter() function, which is used by slowlock paths and for proxy-lock rollback in rt mutex start proxy lock() when called from futex requeue(). In the latter scenario, the function incorrectly operates on the current task instead of the waiter::task, leading to several failures: the rbtree dequeue occurs without the waiter::task::pi lock being held, the pi blocked on state of the waiter task is not cleared (leaving a dangling pointer), and the rt mutex adjust prio chain() function operates on the wrong top priority waiter task.
An unprivileged local attacker can exploit this to hijack the freed kernel pointer, redirect kernel execution, and gain root privileges or escape containers to compromise the host. The issue is present if the CONFIG FUTEX PI parameter is enabled, which is the default for most general-purpose kernels.
Recommendations Update the Linux kernel to version 7.1 or later. Enable the RANDOMIZE KSTACK OFFSET protection feature to reduce the reliability of exploitation. Restrict unauthorized local access to the system to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Exploit

Fix

LPE

Use After Free

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Weakness Enumeration

Related Identifiers

ALSA-2026:38491
ALSA-2026:38492
BDU:2026-08889
CVE-2026-43499
ECHO-9793-C0AF-3276
OESA-2026-2674
OPENSUSE-SU-2026:10859-1
OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20912-1
RHSA-2026:37728
SUSE-SU-2026:22043-1
SUSE-SU-2026:22048-1
SUSE-SU-2026:22076-1
SUSE-SU-2026:22087-1
SUSE-SU-2026:22108-1
SUSE-SU-2026:22137-1
SUSE-SU-2026:22433-1
SUSE-SU-2026:22458-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2310-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2317-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2331-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2332-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2383-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2421-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2450-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2482-1
SUSE-SU-2026:2591-1
USN-8488-1
USN-8488-2
USN-8489-1
USN-8507-1
USN-8567-1
USN-8569-1
USN-8574-1

Affected Products

Linux Kernel
Rocky Linux