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Mallory
High

Linux kernel rtmutex remove_waiter() use-after-free risk

IdentifiersCVE-2026-43499CWE-416

CVE-2026-43499 is a Linux kernel rtmutex flaw in remove_waiter(). The bug arises because remove_waiter() used current for waiter dequeue and related operations, even though the function is also invoked during proxy-lock rollback in rt_mutex_start_proxy_lock() from futex_requeue(), where waiter::task is not necessarily current. As a result, the code can perform the rbtree dequeue without holding the correct waiter task's pi_lock, fail to clear the waiter task's pi_blocked_on state, and drive rt_mutex_adjust_prio_chain() using the wrong top-priority waiter task. The stale pi_blocked_on reference leaves a dangling pointer condition that is primed for use-after-free.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful triggering can corrupt rtmutex waiter state and priority-inheritance bookkeeping. The documented consequences include dequeue operations occurring without the proper pi_lock, failure to clear pi_blocked_on on the actual waiter task, creation of a dangling pointer that can lead to use-after-free conditions, and incorrect priority-chain adjustment. Depending on reachability and runtime conditions, this can result in kernel memory-safety issues, instability, crashes, or potentially more serious kernel-level impact.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Until patched kernels can be deployed, reduce exposure to affected futex/rtmutex paths where possible by limiting untrusted local code execution and restricting access to systems where local users or workloads can exercise futex requeue and priority-inheritance locking behavior. There is no complete mitigation in the provided content short of applying the kernel fix.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply the upstream/vendor kernel update that fixes remove_waiter() to use waiter::task instead of current in all related operations, including the associated rt_mutex_adjust_prio_chain() fixup. Deploy the maintained Linux kernel release containing the patch from your distribution or kernel vendor.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

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VendorProductType
LinuxLinux Kerneloperating_system

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Threat actor evidence

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Detection signatures

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Social activity4

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