CVE-2026-98858

io_uring: fix task_work add use-after-free with SQPOLL

Published Oct 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

io_uring: fix task_work add use-after-free with SQPOLL

For SQPOLL, the sqpoll thread runs task_work off its own list and
doesn't need to be told about it, so it can pop and complete a request
as soon as mpscq_push() has published it. If that was the last request
holding the ring alive, io_ring_exit_work() then frees the ctx, stops
the thread, and with it the tctx, while io_req_normal_work_add() is
still looking at both after the push:

BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in io_req_normal_work_add+0x439/0x510
Read of size 4 at addr ff11000000ca0000 by task repro/55
(...)
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in queue_work_on+0x25/0x70
Write of size 8 at addr ff11000000c3bd00 by task repro/55

Hold an RCU read lock across the add, like io_req_local_work_add() already
does, and have io_ring_exit_work() wait for a grace period for SQPOLL rings
as well before freeing the ctx.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4850-1 linux-6.12 security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-2 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
History
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: io_uring: fix task_work add use-after-free with SQPOLL For SQPOLL, the sqpoll thread runs task_work off its own list and doesn't need to be told about it, so it can pop and complete a request as soon as mpscq_push() has published it. If that was the last request holding the ring alive, io_ring_exit_work() then frees the ctx, stops the thread, and with it the tctx, while io_req_normal_work_add() is still looking at both after the push: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in io_req_normal_work_add+0x439/0x510 Read of size 4 at addr ff11000000ca0000 by task repro/55 (...) BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in queue_work_on+0x25/0x70 Write of size 8 at addr ff11000000c3bd00 by task repro/55 Hold an RCU read lock across the add, like io_req_local_work_add() already does, and have io_ring_exit_work() wait for a grace period for SQPOLL rings as well before freeing the ctx.
Title io_uring: fix task_work add use-after-free with SQPOLL
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, 9:26 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 18, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:19 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 18, 2026, 12:00 AM