CVE-2026-43271: Linux kernel · md-cluster: fix NULL pointer dereference in process_metadata_update
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in f150e753cb8dd756085f46e86f2c35ce472e0a3c : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 12:49 UTC
Rated High by Threat Radar's AI analysis · No CVSS score from NVD or the CNA
Thin evidence
One scorer or none- Patch
- Available – fixed in f150e753cb8dd756085f46e86f2c35ce472e0a3c, dec123825c1ed74d98fd5fc7571a851dea4f46ff, dceb5a843910004cb118148e267036104fc3ee43 +3
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 6 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 30 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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AI-suggested
This vulnerability has been fixed in the Linux kernel. Users should update to a fixed kernel version containing the provided commits. No additional mitigation is required once the fix is applied.
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's md-cluster component within the process_metadata_update() function. This occurs during a race condition in the MD array startup sequence when a METADATA_UPDATED message is received before the main MD thread is initialized, potentially causing a kernel panic. The issue is fixed by validating the thread pointer and safely ignoring update requests if the array is not fully ready.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b65ea893290056bee380d0c8eeb47797c2bcb311 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a61c1bc84c4a0f1e7c2fe55b0f43d7d94af4adf1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dec123825c1ed74d98fd5fc7571a851dea4f46ff (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/721599e837d3f4c0e6cc14da059612c017b6d3ec (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dceb5a843910004cb118148e267036104fc3ee43 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f150e753cb8dd756085f46e86f2c35ce472e0a3c (opens in a new tab)