Kernel compromise via writeback workqueue use-after-free
Published May 1, 2026 · Updated May 1, 2026
Use-after-free in Linux Kernel allows local users to compromise kernel memory through a writeback workqueue race condition. The inode_switch_wbs_work_fn() loop can empty switch_wbs_ctxs while switch_work remains pending, allowing its backing writeback structure to be freed before the queued work runs. Triggering requires local low-privileged access and race timing; successful exploitation permits disclosure or modification of kernel data or a system interruption.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Linux Kernel allows local users to compromise kernel memory through a writeback workqueue race condition. The inode_switch_wbs_work_fn() loop can empty switch_wbs_ctxs while switch_work remains pending, allowing its backing writeback structure to be freed before the queued work runs. Triggering requires local low-privileged access and race timing; successful exploitation permits disclosure or modification of kernel data or a system interruption.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-31703
- Published
- May 1, 2026
- Updated
- May 1, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- CWE-416, CWE-825, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 1, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 1, 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.
- Affected versionversion=6.18
- Affected versionversion=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <028103656b84273c73e9e271cf95c9f3421f4b8a
- Affected versionversion=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <6689f01d6740cf358932b3e97ee968c6099800d9
- Affected versionversion=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <9223e5f30403a9b506d6d0bff4f2e29a2d7d46af
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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