CVE-2026-43271

md-cluster: fix NULL pointer dereference in process_metadata_update

Published May 6, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

md-cluster: fix NULL pointer dereference in process_metadata_update

The function process_metadata_update() blindly dereferences the 'thread'
pointer (acquired via rcu_dereference_protected) within the wait_event()
macro.

While the code comment states "daemon thread must exist", there is a valid
race condition window during the MD array startup sequence (md_run):

1. bitmap_load() is called, which invokes md_cluster_ops->join().
2. join() starts the "cluster_recv" thread (recv_daemon).
3. At this point, recv_daemon is active and processing messages.
4. However, mddev->thread (the main MD thread) is not initialized until
later in md_run().

If a METADATA_UPDATED message is received from a remote node during this
specific window, process_metadata_update() will be called while
mddev->thread is still NULL, leading to a kernel panic.

To fix this, we must validate the 'thread' pointer. If it is NULL, we
release the held lock (no_new_dev_lockres) and return early, safely
ignoring the update request as the array is not yet fully ready to
process it.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8492-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8492-2 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8497-1 Linux kernel (Low Latency) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8498-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA Tegra) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8499-1 Linux kernel (Xilinx) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8492-3 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi Real-time) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8492-4 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8492-5 Linux kernel (FIPS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8606-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8607-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8609-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8619-1 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-476
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
CWE-476
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-824
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
CWE-476
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: md-cluster: fix NULL pointer dereference in process_metadata_update The function process_metadata_update() blindly dereferences the 'thread' pointer (acquired via rcu_dereference_protected) within the wait_event() macro. While the code comment states "daemon thread must exist", there is a valid race condition window during the MD array startup sequence (md_run): 1. bitmap_load() is called, which invokes md_cluster_ops->join(). 2. join() starts the "cluster_recv" thread (recv_daemon). 3. At this point, recv_daemon is active and processing messages. 4. However, mddev->thread (the main MD thread) is not initialized until later in md_run(). If a METADATA_UPDATED message is received from a remote node during this specific window, process_metadata_update() will be called while mddev->thread is still NULL, leading to a kernel panic. To fix this, we must validate the 'thread' pointer. If it is NULL, we release the held lock (no_new_dev_lockres) and return early, safely ignoring the update request as the array is not yet fully ready to process it.
Title md-cluster: fix NULL pointer dereference in process_metadata_update
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Nov 6, 2026, 3:42 PM
Reserved
May 1, 2026, 2:12 PM
Status
Modified
Published
May 6, 2026, 12:16 PM
Modified
Nov 11, 2026, 11:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
May 6, 2026, 12:00 AM