Kernel compromise via DMA-unsafe SPI read buffer
Published May 1, 2026 · Updated May 1, 2026
Memory corruption in the TI ADC driver allows local users to compromise the Linux kernel through an SPI read operation. The driver passes stack-backed response variables to spi_read(), although SPI transfer buffers must be safe for direct memory access. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access and an affected TI ADC device using this driver, and can expose or alter kernel data or crash the system.
Summary
What happened
Memory corruption in the TI ADC driver allows local users to compromise the Linux kernel through an SPI read operation. The driver passes stack-backed response variables to spi_read(), although SPI transfer buffers must be safe for direct memory access. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access and an affected TI ADC device using this driver, and can expose or alter kernel data or crash the system.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-31768
- Published
- May 1, 2026
- Updated
- May 1, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- 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=4.9
- Affected versionversion=4d671b71beefbfc145b971a11e0c3cabde94b673 <014c6d27878d3883f7bb065610768fd021de1a96
- Affected versionversion=4d671b71beefbfc145b971a11e0c3cabde94b673 <67b3a91bdc48220bfb67155ab528121b9c822782
- Affected versionversion=4d671b71beefbfc145b971a11e0c3cabde94b673 <768461517a28d80fe81ea4d5d03a90cd184ea6ad
- Affected versionversion=4d671b71beefbfc145b971a11e0c3cabde94b673 <b3bb8faeca1a2ef7be95ee8a512b639f9ffce947
- Affected versionversion=4d671b71beefbfc145b971a11e0c3cabde94b673 <d2d031b0786ea66ab0577c9d2d71435068d32199
- Affected versionversion=4d671b71beefbfc145b971a11e0c3cabde94b673 <fa64aab25aba47296aa8d12bb4c88ec3fecb2054
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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