CVE-2026-31621: Linux kernel · bnge: return after auxiliary_device_uninit() in error path
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 5 Nov 2026, 00:01 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 1% 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
Weaponized: 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 4 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
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. Fixed versions include 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1, 7.0.0-27.27, 7.0.0-1008.8, 7.0.0-1010.10, 7.0.0-1009.9, 7.0.0-1007.7, 7.0.0-1013.13, 7.0.0-1014.14, and 7.0.0-27.27.1. Users should upgrade to these versions to remediate the issue. No other mitigation is required as the patch fully addresses the problem.
Description
A flaw in the Linux kernel bnge driver causes a NULL pointer dereference during error handling when auxiliary_device_add() fails. The error path calls auxiliary_device_uninit() but does not return immediately, leading to a use-after-free scenario. This results in a NULL pointer dereference when the code attempts to access a freed object. The issue has been fixed by adding the missing return statement as required by auxiliary bus documentation.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-31621 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-31621 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/8b0c25528cb64f71a73b5c0d49cbbcb68540a4ce (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)