CVE-2026-31478: Linux kernel · ksmbd: replace hardcoded hdr2_len with offsetof() in smb2_calc_max_out_buf_len()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1111.118~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 42% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1111.118~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1116.125~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1111.121~20.04.1 +69
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 to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1018.18?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and included in updated Linux kernel packages for Ubuntu 20.04.1 and related OEM kernels as detailed in Ubuntu Security Notices USN-8490-1 and USN-8491-1. Users should apply the standard system updates and reboot their systems to activate the fixes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be required. Follow vendor instructions for updating to the fixed kernel versions to fully mitigate this vulnerability.
Description
A high severity vulnerability (CVE-2026-31478) in the Linux kernel's ksmbd SMB network file system component was fixed by replacing a hardcoded header length value with a correct offsetof() usage in the smb2_calc_max_out_buf_len() function. This fix addresses improper response buffer management introduced after a prior commit. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions prior to specific 5.15.0-xxx releases for Ubuntu 20.04.1 and related OEM kernels. A patch is available and included in updated Linux kernel packages. Users should update and reboot to apply the fix.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-31478 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-31478 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/0e55f63dd08f09651d39e1b709a91705a8a0ddcb (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8490-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8491-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8493-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8497-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8498-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8499-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8493-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8508-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8490-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8527-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8528-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8545-1 (opens in a new tab)