CVE-2026-31703

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.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.12%
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 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

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

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=6.18
  2. Affected versionversion=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <028103656b84273c73e9e271cf95c9f3421f4b8a
  3. Affected versionversion=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <6689f01d6740cf358932b3e97ee968c6099800d9
  4. Affected versionversion=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <9223e5f30403a9b506d6d0bff4f2e29a2d7d46af

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=6.18; version=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <028103656b84273c73e9e271cf95c9f3421f4b8a; version=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <6689f01d6740cf358932b3e97ee968c6099800d9; version=e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b <9223e5f30403a9b506d6d0bff4f2e29a2d7d46af

Published CVSS scores

7.8Linux kernel CNACVSS: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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
CWE-825Expired 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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