CVE-2026-31689

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: EDAC/mc: Fix error path ordering in edac_mc_alloc() When the mci->pvt_info allocation in edac_mc_alloc() fails, the error path will call put_device() which will end up calling the device's release function. However, the init ordering is wrong such that device_initialize() happens *after* the failed allocation and thus the device itself and the release function pointer are not initialized yet when they're called: MCE: In-kernel MCE decoding enabled. ------------[ cut here ]------------ kobject: '(null)': is not initialized, yet kobject_put() is being called. WARNING: lib/kobject.c:734 at kobject_put, CPU#22: systemd-udevd CPU: 22 UID: 0 PID: 538 Comm: systemd-udevd Not tainted 7.0.0-rc1+ #2 PREEMPT(full) RIP: 0010:kobject_put Call Trace: <TASK> edac_mc_alloc+0xbe/0xe0 [edac_core] amd64_edac_init+0x7a4/0xff0 [amd64_edac] ? __pfx_amd64_edac_init+0x10/0x10 [amd64_edac] do_one_initcall ... Reorder the calling sequence so that the device is initialized and thus the release function pointer is properly set before it can be used. This was found by Claude while reviewing another EDAC patch.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-04-27
Last modified 2026-05-06
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

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

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2026-31689 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 5.19 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.169, 6.6.135, 6.12.82, 6.18.23, 6.19.13, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.19
Fixed in
✓ 6.1.169 6.1.x ✓ 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-2026-31689 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-2026-31689?

    CVE-2026-31689 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 5.19 onward and has been patched in 6.1.169, 6.6.135, 6.12.82 and others. CVE-2026-31689 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-31689?

    CVE-2026-31689 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-2026-31689?

    Yes — CVE-2026-31689 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.169, 6.6.135, 6.12.82 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.19 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-31689 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-31689 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 →