CVE-2025-40260 Details
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched_ext: Fix scx_enable() crash on helper kthread creation failure A crash was observed when the sched_ext selftests runner was terminated with Ctrl+\ while test 15 was running: NIP [c00000000028fa58] scx_enable.constprop.0+0x358/0x12b0 LR [c00000000028fa2c] scx_enable.constprop.0+0x32c/0x12b0 Call Trace: scx_enable.constprop.0+0x32c/0x12b0 (unreliable) bpf_struct_ops_link_create+0x18c/0x22c __sys_bpf+0x23f8/0x3044 sys_bpf+0x2c/0x6c system_call_exception+0x124/0x320 system_call_vectored_common+0x15c/0x2ec kthread_run_worker() returns an ERR_PTR() on failure rather than NULL, but the current code in scx_alloc_and_add_sched() only checks for a NULL helper. Incase of failure on SIGQUIT, the error is not handled in scx_alloc_and_add_sched() and scx_enable() ends up dereferencing an error pointer. Error handling is fixed in scx_alloc_and_add_sched() to propagate PTR_ERR() into ret, so that scx_enable() jumps to the existing error path, avoiding random dereference on failure.
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's sched_ext component could lead to a crash. This issue occurs when the sched_ext self-tests are interrupted while a specific test is running. The problem arises because the error handling for a failed creation of a helper kernel thread is inadequate. When the thread creation fails, the error is not properly managed, causing the scx_enable function to dereference an invalid pointer, which can lead to a crash. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions 6.16 and later.
Users can upgrade to the latest version of the Linux kernel stable tree, where this vulnerability has been addressed.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
VolerionCVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Dec 4, 2025References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/625e173e2a59b6cf6cbfb51c0a6bea47f3861eab | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7b6216baae751369195fa3c83d434d23bcda406a | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
Weakness Enumeration
No weakness enumeration is available for this CVE.
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Linux kernel | All versions |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
2 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Dec 4, 2025 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |