KernelCare

KernelCare is a live kernel patching solution from TuxCare (a division of CloudLinux) that applies security patches to running Linux kernels without requiring a server reboot. For hosting providers where uptime is critical and rebooting servers disrupts hundreds of customer websites, KernelCare eliminates the painful choice between security and availability.

Traditionally, applying kernel security patches requires a server reboot to load the new kernel. On a busy shared hosting server with hundreds of active sites, scheduling that reboot means coordinating a maintenance window, notifying customers, and accepting a brief period of downtime. Many hosting providers delay kernel patches for weeks or months to avoid this disruption, leaving servers vulnerable to known exploits.

KernelCare solves this by applying patches to the running kernel in memory. The process is invisible to running applications and requires no downtime whatsoever. Patches are automatically downloaded and applied within hours of release, keeping servers protected against kernel-level vulnerabilities like Spectre, Meltdown, Dirty COW, and other exploits as they are discovered.

The tool supports all major Linux distributions used in hosting: CentOS, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, CloudLinux OS, and more. It integrates with CloudLinux OS environments and works on both physical and virtual servers. The KernelCare agent runs as a lightweight daemon that checks for and applies patches automatically.

For hosting providers running CloudLinux OS, KernelCare is a natural addition to their security stack. Combined with Imunify360 for web application security and CageFS for account isolation, it provides comprehensive server-level protection. TuxCare offers volume licensing that makes per-server costs reasonable for larger fleets.

KernelCare also offers LibCare (live patching for OpenSSL and glibc) and QEMUCare (live patching for QEMU/KVM hypervisors) as additional products for comprehensive rebootless patching.