CVE-2026-23159: perf: sched: Fix perf crash with new is_user_task() helper
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
perf: sched: Fix perf crash with new is_user_task() helper
In order to do a user space stacktrace the current task needs to be a user
task that has executed in user space. It use to be possible to test if a
task is a user task or not by simply checking the task_struct mm field. If
it was non NULL, it was a user task and if not it was a kernel task.
But things have changed over time, and some kernel tasks now have their
own mm field.
An idea was made to instead test PF_KTHREAD and two functions were used to
wrap this check in case it became more complex to test if a task was a
user task or not[1]. But this was rejected and the C code simply checked
the PF_KTHREAD directly.
It was later found that not all kernel threads set PF_KTHREAD. The io-uring
helpers instead set PF_USER_WORKER and this needed to be added as well.
But checking the flags is still not enough. There's a very small window
when a task exits that it frees its mm field and it is set back to NULL.
If perf were to trigger at this moment, the flags test would say its a
user space task but when perf would read the mm field it would crash with
at NULL pointer dereference.
Now there are flags that can be used to test if a task is exiting, but
they are set in areas that perf may still want to profile the user space
task (to see where it exited). The only real test is to check both the
flags and the mm field.
Instead of making this modification in every location, create a new
is_user_task() helper function that does all the tests needed to know if
it is safe to read the user space memory or not.
[1] https://lore.kernel.org/all/20250425204120.639530125@goodmis.org/
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel perf crash bug. During a narrow task-exit timing window, perf can misclassify a task as safe for user-space stack tracing after its memory context is gone, causing a NULL pointer dereference. The bundle does not show data theft, privilege escalation, or active exploitation, but kernel crashes can interrupt production systems.
Executive priority
Treat as a scheduled kernel maintenance item, faster for systems running production profiling or custom kernels. Escalate if your environment has recent kernel panics tied to perf. There is not enough source evidence to justify emergency response solely from exploitation risk.
Technical view
The issue is in perf sched/user-space stack trace handling. Existing task checks relied on flags such as PF_KTHREAD/PF_USER_WORKER and missed the case where a user task is exiting and mm has become NULL. The fix centralizes the combined flag and mm check in is_user_task() before reading user-space memory.
Likely exposure
Exposure is Linux systems running affected kernel builds where perf user-space stack tracing can execute. The supplied version data lists Linux and several stable branches/commit ranges, but distribution package mapping is not included. Custom kernel maintainers should compare their trees with the referenced stable commits.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status is false in the bundle, and no cited source reports active exploitation. The description frames the bug as a crash from a timing window during task exit, not a remotely exploitable issue. Required access, privileges, and reliable trigger conditions are not specified.
Researcher notes
Key uncertainty is reachability: the bundle identifies the crash condition but not required privileges, perf_event_paranoid settings, or distribution backports. Validate by source/package comparison, not by attempting to reproduce crashes in production.
Mitigation direction
Update Linux kernels to versions containing one of the referenced stable fixes.
Prioritize hosts where perf or profiling features run in production.
Use distribution kernel advisories/packages rather than unsupported manual changes.
Review vendor guidance; the source bundle names no temporary mitigation.
Plan reboot or live-patching through normal kernel maintenance controls.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions and compare them with CVE-2026-23159 status data.
For custom kernels, confirm the referenced stable fix commit is present.
Check distribution changelogs for CVE-2026-23159 or the stable commit IDs.
Review kernel logs for oops or panic events involving perf stack unwinding.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Feb 14, 2026, 16:01 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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