CVE-2026-43499

CVE Enrichment

CVSS: 7.8 HIGH
EPSS: 0.89%
EPSS Percentile: 59.28%
CISA KEV: Not listed

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rtmutex: Use waiter::task instead of current in remove_waiter() remove_waiter() is used by the slowlock paths, but it is also used for proxy-lock rollback in rt_mutex_start_proxy_lock() when invoked from futex_requeue(). In the latter case waiter::task is not current, but remove_waiter() operates on current for the dequeue operation. That results in several problems: 1) the rbtree dequeue happens without waiter::task::pi_lock being held 2) the waiter task's pi_blocked_on state is not cleared, which leaves a dangling pointer primed for UAF around. 3) rt_mutex_adjust_prio_chain() operates on the wrong top priority waiter task Use waiter::task instead of current in all related operations in remove_waiter() to cure those problems. [ tglx: Fixup rt_mutex_adjust_prio_chain(), add a comment and amend the changelog ]

Technical Details

CVSS Version: 3.1
CNA / NVD Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Published: 21-May-2026 20:16
Last Modified: 15-Oct-2026 09:19
EPSS Date: 2026-10-28
CWE: CWE-416

CVSS Vector


            CVSS:3.1                            AV:L /
                            AC:L /
                            PR:L /
                            UI:N /
                            S:U /
                            C:H /
                            I:H /
                            A:H

Affected Products / Versions

linux / linux_kernel Source: NVD CPE · affected
Version / affected range: * · from (inclusive) 2.6.39 · before (exclusive) 6.1.175
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
linux / linux_kernel Source: NVD CPE · affected
Version / affected range: * · from (inclusive) 6.2 · before (exclusive) 6.6.140
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
linux / linux_kernel Source: NVD CPE · affected
Version / affected range: * · from (inclusive) 6.7 · before (exclusive) 6.12.86
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
linux / linux_kernel Source: NVD CPE · affected
Version / affected range: * · from (inclusive) 6.13 · before (exclusive) 6.18.27
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
linux / linux_kernel Source: NVD CPE · affected
Version / affected range: * · from (inclusive) 6.19 · before (exclusive) 7.0.4
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

References

Last enrichment sync: 29-Oct-2026 06:10
Sources: NVD · FIRST EPSS · CISA KEV
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Reported Context (2)

Tracked as CVE-2026-43499 and referred to as GhostLock, the security defect was introduced in Linux 2.6.39 and lurked in the kernel for 15 years until a patch was rolled out in April. Researchers Demonstrate Linux GhostLock Root Escalation and Container Escape
Researchers at Nebula Security disclosed GhostLock (CVE-2026-43499), a 15-year-old Linux kernel flaw that can let a logged-in local user gain full root access on unpatched systems, and it can also escape containers. GhostLock Linux Kernel Flaw Enables Root Access and Container Escape

CVE (4)

MITRE ATT&CK (3)

Products (4)

Tools (1)

Note: Related entities, including threat actors, malware, CVEs, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, vendors, products, tools, countries, and industries, are shown when they appear in the same reporting. Their presence does not necessarily mean they were targeted, compromised, vulnerable, responsible for the activity, or directly involved in the incident.