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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 CVE Database V5

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in c3a89e3ec1ccf64fa6a34e391e1581ebbcba8683 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:18 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.
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 c3a89e3ec1ccf64fa6a34e391e1581ebbcba8683, 80824c7e527b70cf9039534e60aff592e8f209d1, 70b4c414889492c522b6e4331562360f49be2361 +6
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
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • >=5.15.145 <5.15.203
  • >=6.1.71 <6.1.168
Fixed in
  • c3a89e3ec1ccf64fa6a34e391e1581ebbcba8683
  • 80824c7e527b70cf9039534e60aff592e8f209d1
  • 70b4c414889492c522b6e4331562360f49be2361
  • 9a7166f0ef8cbb7bb48dd05e2471d995566003f5
  • 6aef1765d6807e0f027cd87f6ac973eb0879a46d
  • 6.1.168
  • 5.15.203
  • 4cb537ae4f37d7d0f617815ed4bed7173fb50861
  • 0e55f63dd08f09651d39e1b709a91705a8a0ddcb
LinuxLinuxAffected
  • =6.6
Fixed in–

AI-suggested

The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux kernel versions 5.15.203, 6.1.168, and 6.6. Users and administrators should upgrade to these or later kernel versions to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official patches.

Description

CVE-2026-31478 is a critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ksmbd component where a hardcoded header length value was incorrectly used in the smb2_calc_max_out_buf_len() function. This flaw was fixed by replacing the hardcoded value with a dynamic calculation using offsetof(), correcting response buffer management. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions prior to 5.15.203, 6.1.168, and version 6.6. It has a high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

References

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