CVE-2026-31579: Linux kernel · wireguard: device: use exit_rtnl callback instead of manual rtnl_lock in pre_exit
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 16:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1, 7.0.0-27.27, 7.0.0-1008.8 +6
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 24 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 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-ibmpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-ibm?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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 should be applied to affected linux-hwe-edge kernel versions. The fix changes the WireGuard device cleanup to use the exit_rtnl callback, which properly manages rtnl_lock acquisition and prevents hung tasks. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions as per the vendor advisory (Ubuntu Security Notice USN-8488-1).
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's WireGuard device handling was resolved by changing from manual rtnl_lock acquisition in the pre_exit callback to using the exit_rtnl callback, which properly manages locking and prevents hung tasks. This issue caused indefinite blocking when cleanup or rollback paths waited for a lock held by another thread. The fix moves cleanup operations to a safer callback where the lock is already held, eliminating contention. This vulnerability affects certain versions of the linux-hwe-edge kernel prior to specified 7.0.0 builds. The issue has a medium severity score and a patch is available.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-31579 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-31579 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/60a25ef8dacb3566b1a8c4de00572a498e2a3bf9 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8488-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8488-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8507-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8569-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8603-1 (opens in a new tab)