CVE-2026-31515
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: af_key: validate families in pfkey_send_migrate() syzbot was able to trigger a crash in skb_put() [1] Issue is that pfkey_send_migrate() does not check old/new families, and that set_ipsecrequest() @family argument was truncated, thus possibly overfilling the skb. Validate families early, do not wait set_ipsecrequest(). [1] skbuff: skb_over_panic: text:ffffffff8a752120 len:392 put:16 head:ffff88802a4ad040 data:ffff88802a4ad040 tail:0x188 end:0x180 dev:<NULL> kernel BUG at net/core/skbuff.c:214 ! Call Trace: <TASK> skb_over_panic net/core/skbuff.c:219 [inline] skb_put+0x159/0x210 net/core/skbuff.c:2655 skb_put_zero include/linux/skbuff.h:2788 [inline] set_ipsecrequest net/key/af_key.c:3532 [inline] pfkey_send_migrate+0x1270/0x2e50 net/key/af_key.c:3636 km_migrate+0x155/0x260 net/xfrm/xfrm_state.c:2848 xfrm_migrate+0x2140/0x2450 net/xfrm/xfrm_policy.c:4705 xfrm_do_migrate+0x8ff/0xaa0 net/xfrm/xfrm_user.c:3150
CVSS 3.1 score
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-476CVE-2026-31515 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
2.6.21
and later are affected. Fixed in
5.10.253,
5.15.203,
6.1.168,
6.6.131,
6.12.80,
6.18.21,
6.19.11,
7.0
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-31515 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7b18692c59afb8e5c364c8e3ac01e51dd6b52028
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/83f644ea92987c100b82d8481ae2230faeed3d34
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ddf8de7e758f6888988467af9ffc8adf589fb16
Frequently asked questions
-
What is CVE-2026-31515?
CVE-2026-31515 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.21 onward and has been patched in 5.10.253, 5.15.203, 6.1.168 and others. CVE-2026-31515 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
-
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-31515?
CVE-2026-31515 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-31515?
Yes — CVE-2026-31515 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.253, 5.15.203, 6.1.168 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.21 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
-
Is CVE-2026-31515 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2026-31515 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 →