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Linux hwe edge: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smp: Make CSD lock acquisition atomic for debug mode Commit b0473dcd4b1d ("smp:… (CVE-2026-68438)

0
Medium
Published: 08/13/2026 (08/13/2026, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: GCVE Database
Product: linux-hwe-edge

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smp: Make CSD lock acquisition atomic for debug mode Commit b0473dcd4b1d ("smp: Improve smp_call_function_single() CSD-lock diagnostics") changed smp_call_function_single() so that, when CSD lock debugging is enabled, async !wait calls use the destination CPU csd_data. That improves diagnostics, but it also removes the single-writer property that made the old csd_lock() safe: multiple CPUs can now prepare the same destination CPU CSD concurrently. csd_lock() currently waits for CSD_FLAG_LOCK to clear and then sets the bit with a non-atomic read-modify-write. Two senders can both see an unlocked CSD, set the bit, overwrite the callback fields, and enqueue the same llist node. Re-adding a node that is already the queue head can make node->next point to itself, leaving the target CPU stuck walking call_single_queue. Later synchronous work, such as a TLB shootdown, can then remain queued and trigger soft-lockup warnings or panics. Keep the single csd_lock() implementation, but when CSD lock debugging is enabled, acquire CSD_FLAG_LOCK with try_cmpxchg_acquire(). This makes the destination CPU CSD a real atomic lock in the only configuration where it can be shared by multiple remote senders, while preserving the existing non-debug fast path.

AI-Powered Analysis

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AILast updated: 08/12/2026, 17:21:25 UTC

Technical Analysis

The vulnerability in the Linux kernel relates to the smp_call_function_single() function's handling of the CSD lock when CSD lock debugging is enabled. Previously, the lock was acquired using a non-atomic read-modify-write operation, allowing multiple CPUs to simultaneously set the lock bit and overwrite callback fields. This could cause the callback queue node to point to itself, leading to the target CPU being stuck in call_single_queue processing. The fix introduced atomic lock acquisition using try_cmpxchg_acquire() in debug mode, preserving the original fast path for non-debug configurations while preventing concurrent lock acquisition issues.

Potential Impact

If exploited, this flaw could cause the target CPU to become stuck processing queued calls, potentially resulting in soft-lockup warnings or kernel panics. This affects system stability and reliability but does not directly indicate privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation Recommendations

A fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel that makes the CSD lock acquisition atomic when debug mode is enabled. Users should update to the kernel version containing commit b0473dcd4b1d or later to apply this fix. Since this is a kernel-level fix, upgrading the kernel is the recommended remediation.

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Technical Details

Gcve Source
db.gcve.eu
Osv Id
GHSA-26r5-rg9x-853c
Osv Schema Version
1.4.0
Aliases
["CVE-2026-68438"]

Threat ID: 6a7c9b6bbf8831d539cdfbf8

Added to database: 08/12/2026, 16:12:27 UTC

Last enriched: 08/12/2026, 17:21:25 UTC

Last updated: 09/24/2026, 13:47:47 UTC

Views: 28

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