● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportHigh impact
Linux kernel will increasingly adopt Rust programming language
Key points
- Linux subsystems will adopt Rust for improved safety.
- Rust can potentially reduce kernel CVEs by 80%.
- Kroah-Hartman now advocates for Rust after initial skepticism.
Adoption of Rust in Linux
At Open Source Summit India 2026, Linux stable kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman announced that certain Linux subsystems will be developed using Rust. This signifies a shift from the traditional C programming language, which has long been the backbone of the Linux kernel.
Advantages of Rust
Kroah-Hartman highlighted that Rust offers a safer programming environment compared to C, minimizing errors related to pointers and memory handling. He mentioned that many vulnerabilities, particularly those leading to Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), stem from small mistakes made in C.
His observations suggest that approximately 80% of existing CVEs could be prevented if the kernel was coded in Rust.
Context on Common Vulnerabilities
Currently, the Linux kernel faces approximately 13 CVEs daily, primarily due to trivial programming oversight. These include errors like unchecked pointers and improper resource management. By transitioning parts of the kernel to Rust, maintainers could alleviate much of this burden.
Kroah-Hartman's Shift in Perspective
Kroah-Hartman's journey from skepticism to advocacy for Rust is a notable transformation. Initially resistant to change, he now believes that Rust enhances productivity and makes coding enjoyable. He views Rust not just as a trial but as a permanent addition to the Linux ecosystem.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
Primary sources
GitHub uuidjs/uuidReporting from
The Linux kernel is moving towards integrating Rust for some subsystems, as stated by maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman. Rust's ownership and type system could significantly reduce the number of common vulnerabilities, estimated to eliminate around 80% of current issues caused by C programming errors.