CVE-2026-31731

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: thermal: core: Address thermal zone removal races with resume Since thermal_zone_pm_complete() and thermal_zone_device_resume() re-initialize the poll_queue delayed work for the given thermal zone, the cancel_delayed_work_sync() in thermal_zone_device_unregister() may miss some already running work items and the thermal zone may be freed prematurely [1]. There are two failing scenarios that both start with running thermal_pm_notify_complete() right before invoking thermal_zone_device_unregister() for one of the thermal zones. In the first scenario, there is a work item already running for the given thermal zone when thermal_pm_notify_complete() calls thermal_zone_pm_complete() for that thermal zone and it continues to run when thermal_zone_device_unregister() starts. Since the poll_queue delayed work has been re-initialized by thermal_pm_notify_complete(), the running work item will be missed by the cancel_delayed_work_sync() in thermal_zone_device_unregister() and if it continues to run past the freeing of the thermal zone object, a use-after-free will occur. In the second scenario, thermal_zone_device_resume() queued up by thermal_pm_notify_complete() runs right after the thermal_zone_exit() called by thermal_zone_device_unregister() has returned. The poll_queue delayed work is re-initialized by it before cancel_delayed_work_sync() is called by thermal_zone_device_unregister(), so it may continue to run after the freeing of the thermal zone object, which also leads to a use-after-free. Address the first failing scenario by ensuring that no thermal work items will be running when thermal_pm_notify_complete() is called. For this purpose, first move the cancel_delayed_work() call from thermal_zone_pm_complete() to thermal_zone_pm_prepare() to prevent new work from entering the workqueue going forward. Next, switch over to using a dedicated workqueue for thermal events and update the code in thermal_pm_notify() to flush that workqueue after thermal_pm_notify_prepare() has returned which will take care of all leftover thermal work already on the workqueue (that leftover work would do nothing useful anyway because all of the thermal zones have been flagged as suspended). The second failing scenario is addressed by adding a tz->state check to thermal_zone_device_resume() to prevent it from re-initializing the poll_queue delayed work if the thermal zone is going away. Note that the above changes will also facilitate relocating the suspend and resume of thermal zones closer to the suspend and resume of devices, respectively.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-05-01
Last modified 2026-05-08
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-2026-31731 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 6.8 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.83, 6.18.22, 6.19.12, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.8
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.83 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.22 6.18.x ✓ 6.19.12 6.19.x ✓ 7.0

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-31731 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-2026-31731?

    CVE-2026-31731 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 6.8 onward and has been patched in 6.12.83, 6.18.22, 6.19.12 and others. CVE-2026-31731 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-31731?

    CVE-2026-31731 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-2026-31731?

    Yes — CVE-2026-31731 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.83, 6.18.22, 6.19.12 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.8 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-31731 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-31731 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 →