CVE-2026-43303: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/page_alloc: clear page->private in fre

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-43303?

linux kernel: upgrade to 6.18.16, 6.19.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-43303 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43303 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-43303 affect?

CVE-2026-43303 affects linux kernel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/page_alloc: clear page->private in free_pages_prepare() Several subsystems (slub, shmem, ttm, etc.) use page->private but don't clear it before freeing pages. When th

Routine

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-43303 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting linux kernel. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/page_alloc: clear page->private in free_pages_prepare() Several subsystems (slub, shmem, ttm, etc.) use page->private but don't clear it before freeing pages. When these pages are later allocated as high-order pages and split via split_page(), tail pages retain stale page->private values. This causes a use-after-free in the swap subsystem. The swap code uses page->private

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 93%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416, CWE-457
Published	2026-05-08
Last modified	2026-10-19

Publisher (CNA): kernel.org · Vendor: linux

Last updated 2026-10-19 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-08 14:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-19 20:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linux linux kernel UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.18.1 and < 6.18.16 · >= 6.19 and < 6.19.6 · 5.18 · 5.18 rc4 · 5.18 rc5 · 5.18 rc6 · 5.18 rc7 · 5.18 rc9

Fixed in: 6.18.16, 6.19.6

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-43303?

linux kernel: upgrade to 6.18.16, 6.19.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-43303 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43303 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-43303 affect?

CVE-2026-43303 affects linux kernel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/page_alloc: clear page->private in free_pages_prepare() Several subsystems (slub, shmem, ttm, etc.) use page->private but don't clear it before freeing pages. When th

How urgent is CVE-2026-43303?

Priority 34/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

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References

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