CVE-2026-31444: Linux kernel · ksmbd: fix use-after-free and NULL deref in smb_grant_oplock()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 03:47 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CNA (Linux) | CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 |
|---|
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
Weaponized: 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 11 Nov 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
A fix for this vulnerability has been implemented in the Linux kernel by restructuring the oplock publication sequence and memory management in ksmbd. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this patch to remediate the issue. No additional mitigations are indicated beyond applying the fix.
Description
CVE-2026-31444 is a critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ksmbd component involving use-after-free and NULL pointer dereference issues in the smb_grant_oplock() function. The flaw arises from improper handling of the oplock publication sequence, which can lead to dereferencing freed memory or NULL pointers during concurrent operations. The vulnerability has been fixed by restructuring the publication sequence to ensure safe memory handling and eliminating failure paths after publication.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e785f004cbc56390479b77375726ea9b0d1a8a6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7de55bba69cbf0f9280daaea385daf08bc076121 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a5c6f6d6ceefed2d5210ee420fb75f8362461f46 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6d7e5a918c1d0aad06db0e17677b66fc9a471021 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/48623ec358c1c600fa1e38368746f933e0f1a617 (opens in a new tab)