CVE-2026-53328: sched_ext: Don't warn on NULL cgrp_moving_from in scx_cgroup_move_task()

Published Jul 1, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

schedext: Don't warn on NULL cgrpmovingfrom in scxcgroupmovetask()

A WARN fires when systemd's user manager writes "+cpu +memory +pids" to its own subtreecontrol while a schedext scheduler is loaded:

WARNING: at kernel/sched/ext.c:3227 scxcgroupmovetask+0xa8/0xb0 scxcgroupmovetask+0xa8/0xb0 schedmovetask+0x134/0x290 cpucgroupattach+0x39/0x70 cgroupmigrateexecute+0x37d/0x450 cgroupupdatedflcsses+0x1e3/0x270 cgroupsubtreecontrolwrite+0x3e7/0x440

scxcgroupcanattach() arms cgrpmovingfrom only when a task's cpu cgroup changes. It can still be NULL when scxcgroupmovetask() runs, through this sequence:

Step Result --------------------------------- ---------------------------------- 1. cpu enabled on cgroup G cpu css = A 2. cpu toggled off then on for G A killed, B created (same cgroup) 3. an exiting task keeps A alive migration skips it, A now stale 4. +memory migrates G stale A vs current B pulls cpu in 5. cpu attach runs for all tasks hits a live, cpu-unchanged task 6. scxcgroupmovetask() on it cgrpmovingfrom NULL -> WARN

The mismatch is that scxcgroupcanattach() keys on cgroup identity while migration drives the move on css identity, so a NULL cgrpmovingfrom here is a legitimate css-only migration, not a missing prep.

The call is already gated on cgrpmovingfrom, so just drop the warning. ops.cgroupprepmove() and ops.cgroupmove() stay paired.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Linux Linux kernel

Event History

Jul 1, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:32 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:32 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·02:16 PM
Description

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-53328?

The severity of CVE-2026-53328 is rated at 7 on the CVSS scale.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-53328?

To fix CVE-2026-53328, update to the latest version of the Linux kernel where this vulnerability is patched.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-53328?

CVE-2026-53328 affects systems running Linux kernels with the sched_ext scheduler enabled.

4

What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2026-53328?

CVE-2026-53328 is a warning issue related to NULL references in the scx_cgroup_move_task() function.

5

Is CVE-2026-53328 related to systemd?

Yes, CVE-2026-53328 is triggered when systemd's user manager makes certain cgroup changes while the sched_ext scheduler is loaded.

Contact

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