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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-64226 Linux CVE debrief

A HIGH severity vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel, with a CVSS score of 7.8. The vulnerability is related to a use-after-free (UAF) issue in the scx_root_enable_workfn() function. This issue arises when put_task_struct() is called before scx_error() dereferences p->comm and p->pid, potentially leading to a UAF error if the iterator's reference is the last drop and the task is freed synchronously.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-24
Original CVE updated
2026-08-13
Advisory published
2026-07-24
Advisory updated
2026-08-13

Who should care

Linux kernel users, administrators, and security teams should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it. Affected product deployments should be identified, and owners should be assigned for follow-up. Compensating controls should be reviewed for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is caused by a use-after-free (UAF) issue in the scx_root_enable_workfn() function. The put_task_struct() function 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. Linux kernel users and administrators should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it.

Defensive priority

High priority should be given to patching the Linux kernel to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the patch to update the Linux kernel
  • Review and update Linux kernel configurations
  • Monitor Linux kernel logs for suspicious activity
  • Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-24T16:16:51.673Z and was last modified on 2026-07-27T05:16:36.623Z. The NVD entry is currently Received. Linux kernel users should verify their deployments and review official advisories for affected scope and vendor guidance.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-64226 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-64226

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-64226 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64226

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/45c7c4e3db8b700307313c035ea08be829a7f21b

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/57e19ba3f58a67eb924022a5a60b67fd08e5cbbd

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a415cc53711f2238e0f0ca8a6bcc796c003b127

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf396941901858b0de426cdcd3974eea6a02c98c

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.