New Linux pedit COW Exploit Enables Root Access by Poisoning Cached Binaries
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A flaw in the Linux kernel's traffic-control subsystem can let a local unprivileged user gain root on affected systems. CVE-2026-46331, nicknamed "pedit COW," is an out-of-bounds write in the packet-editing action (act_pedit) that corrupts shared page-cache memory. A public, working exploit appeared within a day of the CVE assignment on June 16. Red Hat rates the flaw as
1Key Takeaways
- A flaw in the Linux kernel's traffic-control subsystem can let a local unprivileged user gain root on affected systems.
- CVE-2026-46331, nicknamed "pedit COW," is an out-of-bounds write in the packet-editing action (act_pedit) that corrupts shared page-cache memory.
- A public, working exploit appeared within a day of the CVE assignment on June 16.
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3Why it matters
Tool launches and updates shape which workflows teams adopt and which vendors gain traction. The Hacker News reports that a flaw in the Linux kernel's traffic-control subsystem can let a local unprivileged user gain root on affected systems.
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