CVE-2026-31652

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/damon/stat: deallocate damon_call() failure leaking damon_ctx damon_stat_start() always allocates the module's damon_ctx object (damon_stat_context). Meanwhile, if damon_call() in the function fails, the damon_ctx object is not deallocated. Hence, if the damon_call() is failed, and the user writes Y to “enabled” again, the previously allocated damon_ctx object is leaked. This cannot simply be fixed by deallocating the damon_ctx object when damon_call() fails. That's because damon_call() failure doesn't guarantee the kdamond main function, which accesses the damon_ctx object, is completely finished. In other words, if damon_stat_start() deallocates the damon_ctx object after damon_call() failure, the not-yet-terminated kdamond could access the freed memory (use-after-free). Fix the leak while avoiding the use-after-free by keeping returning damon_stat_start() without deallocating the damon_ctx object after damon_call() failure, but deallocating it when the function is invoked again and the kdamond is completely terminated. If the kdamond is not yet terminated, simply return -EAGAIN, as the kdamond will soon be terminated. The issue was discovered [1] by sashiko.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-04-24
Last modified 2026-04-27
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-416

CVE-2026-31652 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.17 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.23, 6.19.13, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.17
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.23 6.18.x ✓ 6.19.13 6.19.x ✓ 7.0

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-31652 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-2026-31652?

    CVE-2026-31652 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.17 onward and has been patched in 6.18.23, 6.19.13 and 7.0. CVE-2026-31652 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-31652?

    CVE-2026-31652 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-2026-31652?

    Yes — CVE-2026-31652 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.23, 6.19.13 and 7.0. If you are running Linux kernel 6.17 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-31652 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-31652 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

    The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. View CWE-416 on MITRE CWE →