CVE-2026-98219

sched_ext: Close the pre-enable ops error claim window

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

sched_ext: Close the pre-enable ops error claim window

scx_alloc_and_add_sched() publishes ops->priv before
scx_root_enable_workfn() switches the state to SCX_ENABLING. An error
claimed via scx_bpf_error_bstr() from an associated BPF program in that
window is consumed by scx_disable_workfn(), which takes the pre-enable
shortcut in scx_root_disable(). The shortcut returns without any teardown
and restores SCX_DISABLED with an unconditional scx_set_enable_state() xchg
racing the enable workfn's own transition. The enable then completes with
the claim consumed: the scheduler stays up but can never be disabled again,
and bpf_scx_unreg() frees it while still in use, resulting in a
use-after-free. Both WARN_ON_ONCE()s fire back to back:

WARNING: kernel/sched/ext/ext.c:7522 at
scx_root_enable_workfn+0xeec/0x1be0, CPU#3: scx_enable_help/276

WARNING: kernel/sched/ext/ext.c:6398 at scx_root_disable+0xb50/0xdb8,
CPU#0: sched_ext_helpe/664

scx_root_enable_workfn() switches to SCX_ENABLING before the scheduler
allocation, so ops->priv is never visible while SCX_DISABLED. The allocation
failure path restores SCX_DISABLED.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-825
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

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'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched_ext: Close the pre-enable ops error claim window scx_alloc_and_add_sched() publishes ops->priv before scx_root_enable_workfn() switches the state to SCX_ENABLING. An error claimed via scx_bpf_error_bstr() from an associated BPF program in that window is consumed by scx_disable_workfn(), which takes the pre-enable shortcut in scx_root_disable(). The shortcut returns without any teardown and restores SCX_DISABLED with an unconditional scx_set_enable_state() xchg racing the enable workfn's own transition. The enable then completes with the claim consumed: the scheduler stays up but can never be disabled again, and bpf_scx_unreg() frees it while still in use, resulting in a use-after-free. Both WARN_ON_ONCE()s fire back to back: WARNING: kernel/sched/ext/ext.c:7522 at scx_root_enable_workfn+0xeec/0x1be0, CPU#3: scx_enable_help/276 WARNING: kernel/sched/ext/ext.c:6398 at scx_root_disable+0xb50/0xdb8, CPU#0: sched_ext_helpe/664 scx_root_enable_workfn() switches to SCX_ENABLING before the scheduler allocation, so ops->priv is never visible while SCX_DISABLED. The allocation failure path restores SCX_DISABLED.
Title sched_ext: Close the pre-enable ops error claim window
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
Oct 19, 2026, 9:15 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 6, 2026, 9:18 AM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:18 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 6, 2026, 12:00 AM