CVE-2026-31436: Linux kernel · dmaengine: idxd: fix possible wrong descriptor completion in llist_abort_desc()
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in e21da2ad8844585040fe4b82be1ad2fe99d40074 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 39% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation and no public proof of concept
- Automatable
- Attackers can reliably automate steps 1–4 of the kill chain
- Technical impact
- Total control over the software or total information disclosure
CISA SSVC assessment, 2026-10-16.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in e21da2ad8844585040fe4b82be1ad2fe99d40074, e1c9866173c5f8521f2d0768547a01508cb9ff27, 82656e8daf8de00935ae91b91bed43f4d6e0d644 +1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 Apr 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade Linux kernel to e21da2ad8844585040fe4b82be1ad2fe99d40074, e1c9866173c5f8521f2d0768547a01508cb9ff27, 82656e8daf8de00935ae91b91bed43f4d6e0d644 or 0e4f43779d550e559be13a5cdb763bad92c4cc99.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix for this vulnerability has been implemented and is available in the Linux kernel source code as indicated by the fixed commit hashes. Users and administrators should update their Linux kernel to a version including these fixes to mitigate the issue. Since this is not a cloud service, manual patching is required. There are no indications of known exploits in the wild at this time.
Description
CVE-2026-31436 is a critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's dmaengine idxd driver. The flaw involves incorrect descriptor completion in the llist_abort_desc() function, where the wrong list element is completed, potentially causing NULL pointer dereferences, double completions, or descriptor leaks. This issue affects Linux kernel version 6.8. A fix has been implemented to complete the correct descriptor during traversal.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e21da2ad8844585040fe4b82be1ad2fe99d40074 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/82656e8daf8de00935ae91b91bed43f4d6e0d644 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e4f43779d550e559be13a5cdb763bad92c4cc99 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1c9866173c5f8521f2d0768547a01508cb9ff27 (opens in a new tab)