CVE-2026-31517
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: iptfs: fix skb_put() panic on non-linear skb during reassembly In iptfs_reassem_cont(), IP-TFS attempts to append data to the new inner packet 'newskb' that is being reassembled. First a zero-copy approach is tried if it succeeds then newskb becomes non-linear. When a subsequent fragment in the same datagram does not meet the fast-path conditions, a memory copy is performed. It calls skb_put() to append the data and as newskb is non-linear it triggers SKB_LINEAR_ASSERT check. Oops: invalid opcode: 0000 [#1] SMP NOPTI [...] RIP: 0010:skb_put+0x3c/0x40 [...] Call Trace: <IRQ> iptfs_reassem_cont+0x1ab/0x5e0 [xfrm_iptfs] iptfs_input_ordered+0x2af/0x380 [xfrm_iptfs] iptfs_input+0x122/0x3e0 [xfrm_iptfs] xfrm_input+0x91e/0x1a50 xfrm4_esp_rcv+0x3a/0x110 ip_protocol_deliver_rcu+0x1d7/0x1f0 ip_local_deliver_finish+0xbe/0x1e0 __netif_receive_skb_core.constprop.0+0xb56/0x1120 __netif_receive_skb_list_core+0x133/0x2b0 netif_receive_skb_list_internal+0x1ff/0x3f0 napi_complete_done+0x81/0x220 virtnet_poll+0x9d6/0x116e [virtio_net] __napi_poll.constprop.0+0x2b/0x270 net_rx_action+0x162/0x360 handle_softirqs+0xdc/0x510 __irq_exit_rcu+0xe7/0x110 irq_exit_rcu+0xe/0x20 common_interrupt+0x85/0xa0 </IRQ> <TASK> Fix this by checking if the skb is non-linear. If it is, linearize it by calling skb_linearize(). As the initial allocation of newskb originally reserved enough tailroom for the entire reassembled packet we do not need to check if we have enough tailroom or extend it.
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-401CVE-2026-31517 is a Memory Leak vulnerability
What is Memory Leak?
The product does not release memory after use, causing gradual resource exhaustion. Learn more on MITRE CWE
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
6.14
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.18.21,
6.19.11,
7.0
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-31517 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b352f83cabfefdaafa806d6471f0eca117dc7d5
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/33a7b36268933c75bdc355e5531951e0ea9f1951
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7fdfe8f6efeb0e1200e22a903f2471539f54522b
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-31517?
CVE-2026-31517 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a Memory Leak flaw (CWE-401) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.14 onward and has been patched in 6.18.21, 6.19.11 and 7.0. CVE-2026-31517 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-31517?
CVE-2026-31517 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-2026-31517?
Yes — CVE-2026-31517 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.21, 6.19.11 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.
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Is CVE-2026-31517 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2026-31517 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is Memory Leak (CWE-401)?
The product does not release memory after use, causing gradual resource exhaustion. View CWE-401 on MITRE CWE →