CVE-2026-31453

Kernel memory compromise via freed log-item dereference

Published Apr 22, 2026 · Updated Apr 22, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel XFS allows local users to disclose or corrupt kernel memory or crash the system through filesystem activity. After xfsaild_push_item() invokes iop_push(), reclaim or the dquot shrinker can free the log item while tracepoints still dereference it. Ordinary access to files on an existing writable XFS mount is sufficient; no victim interaction is required, and exploitation can panic the kernel.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel XFS allows local users to disclose or corrupt kernel memory or crash the system through filesystem activity. After xfsaild_push_item() invokes iop_push(), reclaim or the dquot shrinker can free the log item while tracepoints still dereference it. Ordinary access to files on an existing writable XFS mount is sufficient; no victim interaction is required, and exploitation can panic the kernel.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-31453
Published
Apr 22, 2026
Updated
Apr 22, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-476, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 22, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 22, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.9
  2. Affected versionversion=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <451c6329d9afa45862c36fe6677eb7750db60617
  3. Affected versionversion=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <7121b22b0bac89394cc4c6a54b5aebc15347bdf5
  4. Affected versionversion=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <79ef34ec0554ec04bdbafafbc9836423734e1bd6
  5. Affected versionversion=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <95fb5d643cc70959baa54cd17f52f80ffc3295e7
  6. Affected versionversion=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <c4d603e8e58a3bf35480135ccca2b4f7238abda5
  7. Affected versionversion=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <c8a2ab339b88d10fc34a3318c92f07d8a467019d

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=5.9; version=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <451c6329d9afa45862c36fe6677eb7750db60617; version=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <7121b22b0bac89394cc4c6a54b5aebc15347bdf5; version=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <79ef34ec0554ec04bdbafafbc9836423734e1bd6; version=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <95fb5d643cc70959baa54cd17f52f80ffc3295e7; version=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <c4d603e8e58a3bf35480135ccca2b4f7238abda5; version=90c60e16401248a4900f3f9387f563d0178dcf34 <c8a2ab339b88d10fc34a3318c92f07d8a467019d

Published CVSS scores

7.8Linux kernel CVE teamCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-476NULL Pointer Dereference
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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