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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-31478: Linux kernel · ksmbd: replace hardcoded hdr2_len with offsetof() in smb2_calc_max_out_buf_len()

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0
Authoritative record:CVE-2026-31478· Critical 9.8

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

CVSS 3.1 base score
9.8Critical
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
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:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 22 Apr 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq 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

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • <6.17.0-40.40
Fixed in
  • 6.17.0-40.40
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • <6.17.0-1019.19
Fixed in
  • 6.17.0-1019.19
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-1004.4 – 6.17.0-1020.20
16 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • 6.17.0-1003.3 – 6.17.0-1017.17
10 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • <6.17.0-1020.22
Fixed in
  • 6.17.0-1020.22
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1018.18?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • <6.17.0-1018.18
Fixed in
  • 6.17.0-1018.18

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

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