CVE-2026-31582: Linux kernel · hwmon: (powerz) Fix use-after-free on USB disconnect
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 7.0.0-27.27 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-27.27, 7.0.0-1008.8, 7.0.0-1007.7 +4
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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@7.0.0-27.27?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@7.0.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@7.0.0-1007.7?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-ibmpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-ibm@7.0.0-1009.9?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 by updating the Linux kernel to versions 6.8.0-1064.72 or later (and corresponding fixed versions listed). The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this issue is fixed in these updated kernel packages. After updating, a system reboot is required to apply the changes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary. Follow the vendor's update instructions carefully.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's hardware monitoring (hwmon) subsystem, specifically in the powerz driver, was fixed. The issue occurs when the powerz_disconnect() function frees a USB Request Block (URB) and releases a mutex, but a subsequent powerz_read() call can access the freed URB pointer, leading to a use-after-free condition. The fix involves setting the URB pointer to NULL upon disconnect and adding checks to prevent dereferencing freed memory. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and affects multiple Linux kernel versions prior to 6.8.0-1064.72 and related versions. A patch is available and should be applied to mitigate the risk.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-31582 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-31582 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/08e57f5e1a9067d5fbf33993aa7f51d60b3d13a4 (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-8567-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8596-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8603-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8606-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8607-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8608-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8609-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-3 (opens in a new tab)