Daily update · Oct 23, 2026
Linux 7.4 merge window: BPF loop analysis, KVM pKVM isolation, and core fixes
Mainline picks up BPF verifier loop analysis, KVM pKVM state isolation, memory-management work, and several correctness fixes.
In brief
This batch of pull requests is part of the Linux 7.4 merge window. It includes BPF verifier improvements for bounded loops, initial KVM pKVM state isolation, memory-management and slab changes, plus several correctness fixes. The fixes cover KCSAN, livepatching, ftrace, sysctl, and a powerpc build regression.
Bug fixes
KCSAN fixes divide-by-zero and test timing
KCSAN is a kernel data-race detector. This pull avoids a division-by-zero in its random-number helper and stops counting report-printing time against test duration.
Why it matters: More reliable KCSAN runs during kernel testing.
Livepatch removal waits for object release
Livepatch lets a running kernel replace functions. This change keeps the module loaded until the kernel's reference-counted objects associated with it have all been released.
Why it matters: Prevents an early module removal during livepatch cleanup.
ftrace stacktrace works with function arguments
ftrace is the kernel's tracing framework. The func_stack_trace and function-arguments options previously used conflicting handlers, so enabling both caused neither to take effect; they now work together.
Why it matters: Tracing users can combine stack traces with function arguments.
sysctl vector writes are no longer partially applied
Sysctl is the interface for many kernel settings. Multi-value vector writes are now staged before being applied, so bad input cannot leave only some values updated.
Why it matters: A failed sysctl write leaves the previous settings intact.
powerpc build fixed without procfs
A recent powerpc IRQ change called a procfs helper even when CONFIG_PROC_FS is disabled, breaking the build. This commit makes the call conditional.
Why it matters: PowerPC kernels can be built again without procfs support.
Source commits1959 entries +
Merge tag 'mm-stable-2026-10-19-21-33' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/akpm/mm
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'mm-core-7.4-rc1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/mm/core
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'kcsan-20261020-v7.4-rc1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/melver/linux
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'modules-7.4-rc1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/modules/linux
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'sysctl-7.04-rc1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/sysctl/sysctl
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'printk-for-7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/printk/linux
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'slab-for-7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/mm/slab
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
powerpc/irq: Fix build with CONFIG_PROC_FS=n
Sasha Levin · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'livepatching-for-7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/livepatching/livepatching
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'trace-rv-v7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/trace/linux-trace
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'trace-tools-v7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/trace/linux-trace
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'trace-ftrace-v7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/trace/linux-trace
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'trace-ringbuffer-v7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/trace/linux-trace
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'probes-v7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/trace/linux-trace
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'bootconfig-v7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/trace/linux-trace
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'bpf-next-7.4' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/bpf/bpf-next
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026
Merge tag 'for-linus' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/virt/kvm/kvm
Linus Torvalds · Oct 23, 2026