CVE-2026-31404

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: NFSD: Defer sub-object cleanup in export put callbacks svc_export_put() calls path_put() and auth_domain_put() immediately when the last reference drops, before the RCU grace period. RCU readers in e_show() and c_show() access both ex_path (via seq_path/d_path) and ex_client->name (via seq_escape) without holding a reference. If cache_clean removes the entry and drops the last reference concurrently, the sub-objects are freed while still in use, producing a NULL pointer dereference in d_path. Commit 2530766492ec ("nfsd: fix UAF when access ex_uuid or ex_stats") moved kfree of ex_uuid and ex_stats into the call_rcu callback, but left path_put() and auth_domain_put() running before the grace period because both may sleep and call_rcu callbacks execute in softirq context. Replace call_rcu/kfree_rcu with queue_rcu_work(), which defers the callback until after the RCU grace period and executes it in process context where sleeping is permitted. This allows path_put() and auth_domain_put() to be moved into the deferred callback alongside the other resource releases. Apply the same fix to expkey_put(), which has the identical pattern with ek_path and ek_client. A dedicated workqueue scopes the shutdown drain to only NFSD export release work items; flushing the shared system_unbound_wq would stall on unrelated work from other subsystems. nfsd_export_shutdown() uses rcu_barrier() followed by flush_workqueue() to ensure all deferred release callbacks complete before the export caches are destroyed. Reviwed-by: Jeff Layton <[email protected]>

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-04-03
Last modified 2026-05-20
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2026-31404 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability

What is NULL Pointer Dereference?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.14 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.20, 6.19.10, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.14
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.20 6.18.x ✓ 6.19.10 6.19.x ✓ 7.0

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-31404 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-31404?

    CVE-2026-31404 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.14 onward and has been patched in 6.18.20, 6.19.10 and 7.0. CVE-2026-31404 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-31404?

    CVE-2026-31404 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-31404?

    Yes — CVE-2026-31404 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.20, 6.19.10 and 7.0. If you are running Linux kernel 6.14 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-31404 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-31404 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?

    The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →