CVE-2026-31638

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rxrpc: Only put the call ref if one was acquired rxrpc_input_packet_on_conn() can process a to-client packet after the current client call on the channel has already been torn down. In that case chan->call is NULL, rxrpc_try_get_call() returns NULL and there is no reference to drop. The client-side implicit-end error path does not account for that and unconditionally calls rxrpc_put_call(). This turns a protocol error path into a kernel crash instead of rejecting the packet. Only drop the call reference if one was actually acquired. Keep the existing protocol error handling unchanged.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-04-24
Last modified 2026-04-27
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.5

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

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2026-31638 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 6.2 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.6.135, 6.12.82, 6.18.23, 6.19.13, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.2
Fixed in
✓ 6.6.135 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.82 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.23 6.18.x ✓ 6.19.13 6.19.x ✓ 7.0

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-31638 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

5 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-31638?

    CVE-2026-31638 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.2 onward and has been patched in 6.6.135, 6.12.82, 6.18.23 and others. CVE-2026-31638 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-31638?

    CVE-2026-31638 has a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-31638?

    Yes — CVE-2026-31638 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.135, 6.12.82, 6.18.23 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.2 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-31638 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-31638 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 →

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