CVE-2026-43292: mm/vmalloc: prevent RCU stalls in kasan_release_vmalloc_node
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mm/vmalloc: prevent RCU stalls in kasanreleasevmallocnode
When CONFIGPAGEOWNER is enabled, freeing KASAN shadow pages during vmalloc cleanup triggers expensive stack unwinding that acquires RCU read locks. Processing a large purgelist without rescheduling can cause the task to hold CPU for extended periods (10+ seconds), leading to RCU stalls and potential OOM conditions.
The issue manifests in purgevmapnode() -> kasanreleasevmallocnode() where iterating through hundreds or thousands of vmaparea entries and freeing their associated shadow pages causes:
rcu: INFO: rcupreempt detected stalls on CPUs/tasks: rcu: Tasks blocked on level-0 rcunode (CPUs 0-1): P6229/1:b..l ... task:kworker/0:17 state:R running task stack:28840 pid:6229 ... kasanreleasevmallocnode+0x1ba/0xad0 mm/vmalloc.c:2299 purgevmapnode+0x1ba/0xad0 mm/vmalloc.c:2299
Each call to kasanreleasevmalloc() can free many pages, and with pageowner tracking, each free triggers savestack() which performs stack unwinding under RCU read lock. Without yielding, this creates an unbounded RCU critical section.
Add periodic condresched() calls within the loop to allow: - RCU grace periods to complete - Other tasks to run - Scheduler to preempt when needed
The fix uses needresched() for immediate response under load, with a batch count of 32 as a guaranteed upper bound to prevent worst-case stalls even under light load.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.12.75 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.18.16 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.19.6 - Upgrade
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debian/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.12.85-1 - Upgrade
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debian/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.19.6-1 - Upgrade
Upgrade
debian/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.116-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1Fixed in 7.3.4-1 - Compensating control
In the Linux kernel's purge_vmap_node()/kasan_release_vmalloc_node() cleanup loop, add periodic cond_resched() calls, using need_resched() for immediate response under load and a batch count of 32 as the maximum interval between rescheduling points.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-43292?
The severity of CVE-2026-43292 is classified as critical due to potential system instability during memory management.
How do I fix CVE-2026-43292?
To fix CVE-2026-43292, update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version where the vulnerability has been patched.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-43292?
CVE-2026-43292 affects Linux kernel versions when the CONFIG_PAGE_OWNER option is enabled.
What impact does CVE-2026-43292 have on system performance?
CVE-2026-43292 can lead to significant RCU stalls which degrade system performance and responsiveness during vmalloc cleanup.
Is CVE-2026-43292 related to memory management issues?
Yes, CVE-2026-43292 is specifically related to memory management issues in the Linux kernel, impacting how memory is freed.