Updated: 2026-02-27 03:05:51.327634
Description:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rcu: Fix rcu_read_unlock() deadloop due to IRQ work During rcu_read_unlock_special(), if this happens during irq_exit(), we can lockup if an IPI is issued. This is because the IPI itself triggers the irq_exit() path causing a recursive lock up. This is precisely what Xiongfeng found when invoking a BPF program on the trace_tick_stop() tracepoint As shown in the trace below. Fix by managing the irq_work state correctly. irq_exit() __irq_exit_rcu() /* in_hardirq() returns false after this */ preempt_count_sub(HARDIRQ_OFFSET) tick_irq_exit() tick_nohz_irq_exit() tick_nohz_stop_sched_tick() trace_tick_stop() /* a bpf prog is hooked on this trace point */ __bpf_trace_tick_stop() bpf_trace_run2() rcu_read_unlock_special() /* will send a IPI to itself */ irq_work_queue_on(&rdp->defer_qs_iw, rdp->cpu); A simple reproducer can also be obtained by doing the following in tick_irq_exit(). It will hang on boot without the patch: static inline void tick_irq_exit(void) { + rcu_read_lock(); + WRITE_ONCE(current->rcu_read_unlock_special.b.need_qs, true); + rcu_read_unlock(); + [neeraj: Apply Frederic's suggested fix for PREEMPT_RT]
| Links | NIST | CIRCL | RHEL | Ubuntu |
| Severity | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| CVSS Version 2.x | 0.0 | |
| CVSS Version 3.x | HIGH | 7.1 |
| OS name | Project name | Version | Score | Severity | Status | Errata | Last updated | Statement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux 9.2 ESU | kernel | 5.14.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | Needs Triage | 2025-11-30 10:12:20 | ||
| CentOS 6 ELS | kernel | 2.6.32 | 7.1 | HIGH | Not Vulnerable | 2026-01-07 20:27:26 | Not affected: The bug only exists in kernels that include the irq_work-based RCU change introduced i... | |
| CentOS 7 ELS | kernel | 3.10.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | Not Vulnerable | 2025-12-17 15:30:33 | ||
| CentOS 8.4 ELS | kernel | 4.18.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | Needs Triage | 2025-11-30 10:12:18 | ||
| CentOS 8.5 ELS | kernel | 4.18.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | In Testing | 2026-02-06 10:02:38 | ||
| CentOS Stream 8 ELS | kernel | 4.18.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | Needs Triage | 2025-11-30 10:12:23 | ||
| CloudLinux 7 ELS | kernel | 3.10.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | Not Vulnerable | 2026-02-21 22:14:51 | CloudLinux 6 and 7 support is limited and provided on demand. We strongly recommend upgrading to Clo... | |
| Oracle Linux 6 ELS | kernel | 2.6.32 | 7.1 | HIGH | Not Vulnerable | 2026-02-21 22:14:52 | Not affected: The bug only exists in kernels that include the irq_work-based RCU change introduced i... | |
| Oracle Linux 7 ELS | kernel | 3.10.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | Not Vulnerable | 2026-02-21 22:14:51 | ||
| Oracle Linux 7 ELS | kernel-uek | 5.4.17 | 7.1 | HIGH | Needs Triage | 2025-11-30 08:52:34 |