CVE-2026-89518 — sched_ext: Fix this_rq() assumptions in dispatch kfuncs
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched_ext: Fix this_rq() assumptions in dispatch kfuncs Under core scheduling, dispatch runs from within the core-wide pick and can target a sibling rq, so ops.dispatch() may execute on a CPU different from the dispatched rq's. Several kfunc paths assumed the two always coincide: - scx_dsq_move() decided whether an rq lock is held by testing this_rq()'s rq flags and lock-danced accordingly. A dispatch for a sibling took the unlocked-context branch and acquired the source rq lock on top of the already held dispatched rq lock which could deadlock. - scx_bpf_sub_dispatch() dispatched this_rq() with its stashed sub_dispatch_prev, which is NULL when dispatching for a sibling. - finish_dispatch(), scx_bpf_dsq_reenq() and scx_bpf_dsq_nr_queued() resolved SCX_DSQ_LOCAL to this CPU's local DSQ rather than the dispatched rq's. The latter two are callable from other rq-locked operations too, where SCX_DSQ_LOCAL now likewise resolves to the op's rq. This changes behavior also without core scheduling, e.g. for ops.enqueue() running a remote wakeup on the waking CPU, and is intended: which CPU happens to execute an operation is incidental, the op's rq is what it is operating on, and the resolution now matches the insert side where SCX_DSQ_LOCAL dispatches land on the task's rq. Use the rq tracked by scx_locked_rq(), which is set to the dispatched rq around ops invocations and NULL in unlocked contexts.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 0.2% (30-day exploitation probability)+1
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
No fix documented by the sources we poll. That does not mean none exists: check the vendor advisory.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Linux Linux).
- No fix documented in the sources: reduce exposure and monitor the vendor advisory.
- Search available logs for exploit probes, errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 15, 2026 → Oct 23, 2026 · 8 reading(s) · max 0.20%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Not enough vector or weakness data: use the affected application’s logs as a starting point.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Record published
- Affected products added · linux/linux
- Source status changed · → Received
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026
References
2 on the record
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Unknown CVE-2026-99086 dm-integrity: validate the superblock on resume 21h
- Unknown CVE-2026-99087 dm-integrity: fix NULL pointer dereference when the 'R' flag is used 21h
- Unknown CVE-2026-99079 net/mlx5e: Prevent stale XSK buffer release on refill retry 21h
- Unknown CVE-2026-99080 fs: Free any excess xarray nodes in clear_inode() 21h
- Unknown CVE-2026-99081 bnxt_en: fix DMA mapping length for padded small packets 21h
- Unknown CVE-2026-99082 KVM: x86: Use active memslots for the per-vCPU MMIO cache 21h
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No CVSS score published by NVD, the CNA, CISA or GitHub so far.
- No fixed version, patch or mitigation documented.
- No CISA SSVC assessment.
- No CWE classification.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-89518 is "sched_ext: Fix this_rq() assumptions in dispatch kfuncs", rated Unknown. It affects Linux (Linux); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. EPSS 0.20% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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