CVE-2026-31486: Linux kernel · hwmon: (pmbus/core) Protect regulator operations with mutex
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in 6.8.0-1064.67~22.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.09% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 0% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1064.67~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1067.75~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1065.72~22.04.1 +26
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle?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.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: hwmon: (pmbus/core) Protect regulator operations with mutex The regulator operations pmbus_regulator_get_voltage(), pmbus_regulator_set_voltage(), and pmbus_regulator_list_voltage() access PMBus registers and shared data but were not protected by the update_lock mutex. This could lead to race conditions. However, adding mutex protection directly to these functions causes a deadlock because pmbus_regulator_notify() (which calls regulator_notifier_call_chain()) is often called with the mutex already held (e.g., from pmbus_fault_handler()). If a regulator callback then calls one of the now-protected voltage functions, it will attempt to acquire the same mutex. Rework pmbus_regulator_notify() to utilize a worker function to send notifications outside of the mutex protection. Events are stored as atomics in a per-page bitmask and processed by the worker. Initialize the worker and its associated data during regulator registration, and ensure it is cancelled on device removal using devm_add_action_or_reset(). While at it, remove the unnecessary include of linux/of.h.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-31486 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-31486 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/754bd2b4a084b90b5e7b630e1f423061a9b9b761 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8729-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8761-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8729-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8761-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8729-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8793-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8761-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8802-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8729-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8793-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8729-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8729-6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8906-1 (opens in a new tab)